Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has dismissed talks of summer exits for star players Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford.
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has quashed speculations surrounding the futures of Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba, stating he expects the duo to remain at the club come next season.
The two academy graduates have had a fairly inconsistent 2017/18 campaign for the 20-time English champions and have been in the firing line of their manager on a few occasions over the season.
Rashford, who has featured 49 times in all competitions this term, scoring 12 goals and 9 assists in the process, drew ire from Jose following his toothless display against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend, when United were defeated 1-0. Following this, speculations rose over the 20-year old’s future at the club, with reports suggesting that he will be allowed to leave Old Trafford on loan for the next campaign.
However, Jose, speaking to press before United’s midweek fixture against West Ham United, put an end to all such rumours. When quizzed on the matter, as quoted by the club’s official website, the Portuguese said: “No. What does he need to do to impress me? He impresses me. That’s the reason why he was selected for every match of the season, absolutely every match of the season and that’s why he played in so many of them, so he doesn’t need to leave to play. He doesn’t need anything.”
Pogba too has found himself as a subject of intense transfer speculations, with various reports claiming that the 25-year old midfield mainstay has had a falling out with his manager.
These rumours only picked up speed after news emerged that Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, had offered his client to various clubs across Europe, including the likes of Real Madrid, PSG and neighbours Manchester City.
The Frenchman started off the season on a great note, but has found his form dip since the turn of the year. So far, he has featured on 34 occasions for the Red Devils, scoring 6 times and setting up 12 more goals.
Mourinho, reportedly, has grown frustrated with his player’s inconsistent displays, and Pogba’s current situation has piqued the interest of PSG, who are mulling over the possibility of bringing the France international back to his homeland.
But Jose, in his interview, seemed confident that the club record signing will stay put at Old Trafford, beyond the end of the season, stressing on the fact that neither the club nor him want to let Pogba leave.
“I think he’s going to be here next season,” claimed Jose. “That’s my feeling. I can give the guarantee that I don’t want him to leave. I can give you the guarantee that the club doesn’t want to sell him and I can give you the guarantee that we don’t have any approach from him, from his agent or from any club. So, in this moment, for me, he’s staying.”
Both Pogba and Rashford are key members of this Manchester United side and the uncertainty surrounding their future doesn’t really reflect well on the club. However, the manager coming out and dismissing all such speculations is definitely a step in the right direction in making sure the duo stay put beyond the current season.
