Sports Card Blogs

One pundit tells Man Utd to ‘build around Pogba’

Manchester United need to build around Paul Pogba because they will not attract world-class replacements, claims Chris Sutton.

While some pundits – and many fans – want United to sell Pogba (the only Reds player in the PFA Team of the Year), Sutton says that would be disastrous as the club prepare to rebuild this under-performing side.

“Manchester United should build the team around Paul Pogba,” he said.

“In my opinion he’s world class. We know there’s a player in there. Did [Jose] Mourinho get the best out of him? No. Did he show signs under Solskjaer that things are turning? Yes.

“If United want to push and be serious about contending for major honours, you need to keep your best players and Paul Pogba is one of those. It’s OK people saying ‘sell him’ but who are you going to replace him with?

“There does need to be a clear-out but the problem is, who’s going to want to go to United?

“It’s going to hit Manchester United in the summer in terms of attracting the top players, they want to play in the Champions League.

“But I don’t get people questioning Solskjaer getting the job. He’s taken over a mess from Mourinho. This isn’t Solskjaer’s team, these are not his signings. I think he’s done a good job to have them even in contention for a Champions League spot.

“There needs to be a bit of calmness at United over the situation. It’s the same group of players that played under Mourinho and Solskjaer has got more out of them.

“They have slipped up of late but Solskjaer is going to be there at the start of next season and he needs backing from the current players and the board in terms of spending.”