MANCHESTER UNITED need to avoid the ’embarrassment’ of losing Paul Pogba on a free transfer AGAIN.
That is the view of former Red Devils defender Gary Pallister, 56, who revealed his thoughts on the Frenchman exclusively to SunSport.
Pogba, 28, has just one year left on his Old Trafford deal and can leave for nothing next June.
If he doesn’t agree fresh terms at Old Trafford beforehand, the Frenchman can sign a pre-contract agreement with a club outside the UK in January.
The United academy product has left on a free before – rejecting a new contract to join Juventus in 2012. And Pallister told SunSport his old club cannot let that happen again.
He said: “It’s an ongoing issue – the talk around Paul. For everybody concerned I think it would be [better] if a decision is made.
“You certainly don’t want to be embarrassed again and lose that player on a free transfer.
“So I would think something has got to be sorted before the season or very soon into the season.”
Pogba has been heavily linked with a move back to Paris Saint-Germain this summer which would see the Red Devils recoup some of the £89million they paid to bring him back from Juventus in 2016.
The Frenchman’s agent Mino Raiola was reportedly in contact with the Ligue 1 side over a potential £40m move. But it’s believed their interest has cooled for the time being after signing Lionel Messi.
Despite the seemingly non-stop rumours linking Pogba with an Old Trafford exit, Pallister would prefer to see him sign a new deal, knuckle down and show United fans the ‘very very best of him’.
The former Middlesbrough and England defender added: “Ole has made it clear he wants him to stay.
“We know about the talent Paul has got. We see it with France and we see it at Man Utd – but maybe not as much as we would like to.
“But that always seems to be because there’s something out there to be said about him – being linked here, there and everywhere.
“Obviously he went through that difficult period under Jose Mourinho which didn’t really help. And that’s where a lot of the rumours started.
“But I think for all concerned, if it was sorted out one way or another… either he decides he needs to move on or he’s going to sign a contract.
“Because United can’t be seen to be losing that amount of money over Paul again after the first time he left.
“I think for everybody concerned, Paul as well, it needs to be sorted out soon. Otherwise it’s never going to be out the headlines and it’s going to go on and on.
“And if his agent gets involved again – he seems to chuck a few hand grenades in here, there and everywhere – and its not particularly healthy.
“Hopefully he stays. If he wants to stay.
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“He’s got an incredible talent. I don’t think we’ve seen the very very best of Paul Pogba in a Man Utd shirt.
“But if he was to sign now, settle down and forget about all these rumours – talking about Real Madrid and going back to France, I think he can be a pivotal figure in a Man Utd side.”
Gary Pallister was speaking to the Sun on behalf of BETDAQ.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
