Solskjaer hails 'brilliant' Paul Pogba, hints at possible squad overhaul next season

The Norwegian is set to have a busy transfer window ahead as he looks to bolster the squad ahead of his first full season at the helm.

Since the last few weeks Paul Pogba has been involved in a lot of transfer speculations tipping him to Real Madrid next season. However, the midfielder has denied on several occasions, to speak about it.

Earlier, Pogba faced a lot of pressure for his lacklustre performances for Manchester United while Jose Mourinho was still in charge. Moreover, the Frenchman who was signed for a massive fee of €105 million from Juventus, often found himself amongst the substitutes during the Portuguese manager’s reign.

However, since the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the midfielder picked up a great form and scored nine times in the following 11 games, thus answering his critics. His performances on the other hand, brought speculation over a possible move to Madrid next season.

To add to the rumours, the 26 year-old also asserted that it would be a dream for anyone to move to the Bernabeu and re-appointed manager Zinedine Zidane too expressed his admiration towards the player.

Being tight-lipped for all the while, Solskjaer broke his silence regarding the situation saying, “In my talks with Paul he has always been positive here and I don't see a difference in him when I chat to him.”

“He is focused on performing and he is a proud player who always gives his best.”

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The Norwegian also praised Pogba’s performance during a narrow defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League saying, “He settled us down a bit, in the first half especially. We just fell away towards the end but the effort he put in physically was just tremendous.”

“He had his highest-ever output physically [against Barcelona], so he has never run as much in a Man United shirt. That was brilliant the way the effort and attitude is there.”

Meanwhile, United are in for a very busy summer transfer window with about six established players about to leave the club as suggested from reports in Sky Sports. Solskjaer will have a significant role in shaping the new squad under him from the next season, if he is to bring back the glory days to Old Trafford.

“We have a certain standard here. Yeah we got a great boost [when I arrived] but now we have more challenging times,” he admitted.

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“I am under no illusions that this is going to be plain sailing. It is going to be hard. It is going to be survival of the fittest or survival of the best and that is how ruthless we have got to be.”

“We need players here who are going to be able to take us forward. That means the culture in the dressing room and what we do every single day here to make us challenge again because Liverpool and City are two teams that are too far ahead at the moment.”