MX23RW : Friday, December 13 16:25:32| >> :60:434:434:

Paul Pogba 'rejects Manchester City move'

Paul Pogba 'rejects Man City move'
© Reuters
Paul Pogba reportedly rejects the opportunity to sign for Manchester City when his Manchester United contract expires at the end of the season.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has reportedly rejected the chance to sign for Manchester City this summer.

The World Cup winner sees his contract at Old Trafford expire at the end of the season and is now almost certain to leave when he becomes a free agent.

Pogba has likely played his last game for the Red Devils owing to a season-ending calf injury, but his fitness record and patchy form have not deterred potential suitors.

Juventus have been strongly linked with a move for their former player, while Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also ready to pounce for the France international.

However, reports last week emerged of Man City planning a shock swoop for the 29-year-old, with the Premier League champions waving goodbye to Fernandinho at the end of the season.

Pep Guardiola had supposedly identified Pogba as the ideal player to fill the Brazilian's void, but The Athletic now claims that he has turned down the chance to move across the city.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba pictured on February 8, 2022© Reuters

Despite his allegiance to Man United, Pogba is said to have given serious consideration to a move to the Etihad Stadium, with the midfielder carefully weighing up all of his offers ahead of the summer window.

The report adds that City offered the former Juventus man a "flattering proposal" to join them, but he is instead after a "whole package" being offered to him by another club.

Pogba is not expected to make a final decision on his future until the end of the season, and he prepares to leave Man United for a second time after making 226 appearances since his £89m return in 2016.

The Frenchman has produced 39 goals and 51 assists for the club in that period, winning the EFL Cup and Europa League while under Jose Mourinho's tutelage in the 2016-17 season.

Pogba has only made 27 appearances in all tournaments this season amid his injury woes, though, contributing one goal and nine assists in Premier League action.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba pictured in action against Leeds United in the Premier League on August 14, 2021© Reuters

Pogba will not be the only player to walk away from Old Trafford for nothing in June, with soon-to-be free agents Juan Mata, Edinson Cavani, Lee Grant and Jesse Lingard all set to follow suit.

Nemanja Matic has also confirmed that he will be heading elsewhere, while Phil Jones and Eric Bailly have allegedly told their teammates that they both plan to leave as well.

With Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford also facing uncertain futures at the club, current interim boss Ralf Rangnick expects to see "six or eight" new signings come through the door this summer.

Rangnick will move into his consultancy role as Erik ten Hag takes the reins for the 2022-23 season, but the Dutchman will not be leading the Red Devils into the Champions League, with the club unable to finish higher than sixth in the Premier League table.

In spite of the club's troubles this season, talismanic attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly decided to stay on for at least one more season after holding conversations with former manager Sir Alex Ferguson throughout the season.

ID:485410:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect7567:
Written by
Ben Knapton

Paul Pogba future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Paul Pogba

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick on May 7, 2022
Read Next:
Rangnick expecting "six or eight" new signings at Man United
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!