According to Jamie Jackson of the Guardian, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expected the troublesome nature of Paul Pogba and Mino Raiola, with this being one of the reasons why he signed Donny van de Beek during the summer.
Pogba's agent Mino Raiola made a shocking announcement on Monday that Pogba's career at Old Trafford is over, yet this has not surprised Solskjaer.
United might have made what seemed to be a strange decision by signing van de Beek in the summer when they already had Pogba and Bruno Fernandes playing in the same position, but Jackson suggests that this was done because Solskjaer foresaw the drama surrounding Pogba.
Writing on Twitter, Jackson said "This Pogba soap opera is why van de Beek was bought and was a smart bit of business from Solskjaer: knew this kind of thing was coming down the track from Raiola..."
Van de Beek has found it hard to start regularly for United, but whenever he has played, he has starred and will surely play much more if Pogba really leaves the club.
Speaking with Tuttosport, Raiola said "Paul is unhappy with Man United as he is no longer able to express himself in the way that he would like and as he is expected to. Paul needs a new team, a change of air. He is under contract for the next 18 months and it will expire in the summer of 2022."
"However, I think that the best solution for both Pogba and Man Utd is that he goes in the next transfer window. If not, the Old Trafford club know that they risk losing him on a free transfer as it is not Paul's intention to extend his contract."
He concluded by saying "Manchester United board know the risk losing Pogba for free given the player has no intention of extending. If somebody does not understand that, then they do not understand football. In any case, let them blame me if Paul leaves."
The 27-year-old Frenchman has shown bright spots during his time at United, but most United fans will not be sad to see him go, but it is troubling that such media drama is coming right before a crucial week where they face games against RB Leipzig and Manchester City.
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