Man Utd boss Solskjaer confirms Real Madrid target Pogba will NOT be making last-minute transfer before European window shuts
Posted Sunday, September 01, 2019 by Thesun.co.uk
Paul Pogba will not leave Manchester United for Real Madrid insists Solskjaer Credit: Reuters
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER claimed Paul Pogba will NOT be making a last-minute move from Manchester United.
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, who has been trying to sign his fellow Frenchman all summer, said he would spring one or two “surprises” before the European transfer window closes on Monday night.
But United boss Solskjaer said: “Paul Pogba will be playing for us.”
The Norwegian also defended Pogba’s role in the 1-1 draw with ten-man Southampton at St Mary’s, which means United have made their worst start to a season since 1992.
They scored first through Daniel James, but their passing became sloppy to allow Southampton back into it, Pogba being the worst culprit.
Solskjaer added: “I think as a team after about half an hour we started giving sloppy balls away.
“Paul was one of them but he wasn’t any different to anyone else. As a team we didn’t play well.
“In the last half an hour he did create loads for us going forward.
“Everyone expects everything from him in every game.
“He has to defend, he has to attack, he has to win headers, he has to win tackles, he has to dribble, he has to make passes. That’s just Paul and he’ll thrive on that.”
Pogba limped off with an ankle injury but Solskjaer expects him to join up with France for international duty.
The draw, United’s third game without a win since the opening weekend thumping of Chelsea, means they have just five points from four games.
Back in 1992-93, Alex Ferguson’s side managed four points yet went on to win the title.
There is no hope of Solskjaer’s side pulling off the same feat.
But he insisted they are moving in the right direction as he bids to return to the club’s tradition of playing on the front foot rather than counter-attacking. He said: “You can say it’s a long-term plan but we deserved to win the last three games as well.
“We dominated the last three games and we know we are on the right track, getting used to that way of playing.
“The one thing you cannot control in football is results and outcomes.
“You can keep control of the effort, the attitude, what we’re doing in training.
“We’re on the right track, we’re working. And, as I said to the boys, we have to learn to win these games.
“I know we are a young team but that’s not an excuse. We have plenty of quality.”
United were pegged back by Jannik Vestergaard’s towering header for Saints.
And former Red Devils and England defender Rio Ferdinand was critical of their defence as Victor Lindelof was beaten in the air for the second game in a row.
Ferdinand said: “The defeat against Palace and this today doesn’t look great.
“They had Southampton by the scruff of the neck and they were there for the taking.
“They let them off the hook and that will be the disappointing thing for the management.
“They’ve had one clean sheet in 19 games and that tells you everything. They need to be more commanding.
“They look weak at set-pieces and were undone by a another one.
“Far too often United haven’t got it right defensively. At no point do the defenders get tight to Vestergaard, who gets a free run.
“They are passing the buck. This is about personal pride, ‘am I doing all I can?’”
United’s shining light was once again summer signing James.
The Wales international, 21, struck a brilliant tenth-minute goal to make it three in four games and was his team’s most consistent threat.
Solksjaer added: “He’s come in and made an impact ever since day one in training.
“I think he’s an example to everyone in football.
“He’s had his period of loans and didn’t get games. Now he is our top scorer and that comes through in his personality and his habits.
“He’s humble and works hard. He knows he can improve.
“He could have scored one or two more today and we will work with him to get his quality even higher. We will have a top player there.”
Southampton head coach Ralph Hasenhuttl was delighted with the way his side held out after defender Kevin Danso was sent off for a second bookable offence.
The Austrian said: “I’m very proud of my team and of our stadium and the crowd, how they pushed us at the end and energised us.
“It was very important after this tough week, with this third game in a week and injuries, then the red card.
“In the end, it was only about the character and mentality and the guys showed it and deserved to get this point.”
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