BRUNO FERNANDES says Manchester United need Paul Pogba if they are to lift silverware this season.
Pogba’s future was thrown into doubt last month when agent Mino Raiola declared the Frenchman’s second spell at Old Trafford was ‘over’.
Bruno Fernandes believes Manchester United need Paul Pogba to achieve their collective aimsCredit: AFP or licensors
But he has been in fine form of late after recovering from the effects of coronavirus.
Pogba hit a stunning goal in the 3-1 win at West Ham at the start of December and won the crucial penalty, which Fernandes converted, in the New Year’s Day win over Aston Villa.
The victory took United level on points with Premier League leaders Liverpool, with a game in hand on the reigning champions.
And Fernandes believes a fit and firing Pogba could help the club land their first top-flight title since 2013.
The Portuguese said: “It shows you the confidence he gives to you, like when he comes back, he’s trying to help you become better and you help him to become better.
“We ended the season really well playing together. But of course the beginning of the season was hard for Paul because he had COVID.
“It was really difficult for Paul to find his form but I think he’s much better and feeling much more confident. The goal against West Ham gave him much more confidence to understand. The team needs him and he has the quality to help us.”
Fernandes has been crucial to United’s turnaround in results since the start of 2020 following his arrival from Sporting Lisbon.
Supporters had to wait until after the coronavirus restart in June to finally witness Fernandes and Pogba together on the pitch.
They hit the ground running in the remaining matches of the campaign as United secured a third-place finish.
And Fernandes has revealed that he gets on well with Pogba off the pitch.
He said: “The relationship I have with Paul is good. He speaks Italian and I speak Italian.
“When I arrived, he was injured. I saw him recovering and training on the pitch away from us.
“He was calling me sometimes when I was training and he said, ‘I’m seeing the games, I’m seeing your movement, don’t worry.
“When I’m fit, I will show you that I can find you. I see you move, you move to the right and to the left, in behind. When I come back, I will show you how I can find you a lot.'”
Pogba rejoined United from Juventus for a then world-record £89million fee in 2016.
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The 27-year-old helped the club to an EFL Cup and Europa League double in his maiden campaign but trophies have been hard to come by for United in recent years.
He has 18 months left to run on his contract so Raiola’s comments about a potential exit sparked concern.
Raiola clarified his statement a week later when he said: “When it comes to him in England they are sensitive, perhaps too sensitive.
“In January, the big players hardly move, then in the summer let’s see what happens.”
If Pogba were to leave in the summer then signing off with a Premier League winners medal would, arguably, be the best way to say farewell.
United can go three points clear of Liverpool at the top of the table if they win their game in hand on Tuesday against Burnley.
A mouthwatering clash between the two rivals follows at Anfield next Sunday.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
