‘We Want To Build A Squad For Future,’ Solskjaer Picks Player He Wants At Man Utd For A Long Time

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that he wants Paul Pogba to sign a long-term deal with Manchester United.

Pogba, who kickstarted his second stint at Man Utd in 2016, has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford over the last few months. It is understood that Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola has been trying to bag his client a deal with his previous club Juventus or a move to Real Madrid, where Zinedine Zidane is in charge and has been a long-time admirer of Pogba.

However, the three-month break infused by the coronavirus pandemic has changed a lot of state of affairs in every club including Man Utd, who could well see Pogba staying beyond the current season.

Pogba, who has made very few appearances for Man Utd in the ongoing campaign due to injuries, has struck a great partnership in the middle with Man Utd’s newest signing Bruno Fernandes and the two could play a major role in helping Man Utd finish the season in the top four to play Champions League soccer in 2020-21.

Pogba, who has scored 31 goals in 148 appearances in his second Man Utd stint, has just 12 more months left in his current deal but the Red Devils have an option to extend it further by a season.

Recently, Man Utd offered long-term deals to midfielders Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay and now, Solskjaer wants Pogba also to commit to the club.

“Of course we want to keep the best players around the club and hopefully we can do something. We want to build a squad for the future. We have secured one at the start and another who is really experienced. But we also need players in the mid-range group. Since Paul has come back he's looking better and better. He's enjoying his football so let's see where it takes us,” said Solskajer in an interview, as per BBC Sport.

Man Utd are currently placed fifth in the Premier League table. They can qualify for the Champions League for the next season either via finishing in the top four of the league or by winning the Europa League, whose draw for the quarter-final rounds are due to take place later this week.