Ralf Rangnick gives ultimatum to Paul Pogba over his contract at Manchester United
There has been uncertainty over the contract situation of Paul Pogba at Manchester United, and Ralf Rangnick has now revealed his stance on the matter. The former is currently out of contention due to a thigh injury that he picked up during the international break in November.
The Frenchman will see his contract with the Red Devils expire at the end of the 2021-22 season. He could leave as a free agent if an extension is not agreed and can even reach a pre-contract agreement with other clubs in January. However, he is still assessing his future options and could end up staying in Manchester.
Speaking in the pre-match press conference (h/t Metro), Rangncik gave his thoughts on the situation while simultaneously sending a message to Pogba. He was talking ahead of the match against Norwich City in the Premier League later today.
Rangnick is aware of the talent Pogba possesses. However, he is not concerned about changing the mind of the player if he is already keen to leave. It makes sense given that the club’s time is better spent focussing on those who will stay on as part of the project.
“I wouldn’t say he’s not worth keeping but, of course, players have to want to play and stay for a club and a big club like Manchester United. If a player does not want to play for a club like Manchester United medium or long-term, I don’t think it makes sense to convince him to change his mind.”
By putting the ball in Pogba’s court, Rangnick has taken the attention off Man United. It is a smart move by the German and now adds more pressure on the player and his agent Mino Raiola to make a decision. The superagent has for long been the one calling the shots.
“This is such a massive club with such fantastic support from the supporters, I don’t think anyone in the club should try to convince a player to stay. He can be an important player but this is true for all the other players that we have and I’m not just the coach of Paul Pogba.”
No-nonsense message
It is good to see how the German has made his stance clear by giving it straightforward. He was speaking on behalf of the fanbase as well, who have grown frustrated over the uncertainty. Big things were expected from the 28-year-old, but he has failed to show his quality consistently.
While we would love to see the France international stay and ply his trade under the 63-year-old manager, it ultimately depends on what he decides. His inconsistency at the club could be due to the lack of the right system, and the interim coach could provide a place for him to excel.
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If he does end up leaving in January or next summer, it would be tough to cope with the fact that we had to pay £89million plus £4.5million in add-ons. That is without considering the high wages that we paid for him over the years. Let’s hope that things do not turn that way, but a clear picture will emerge in due time.
