When Big European Clubs Have To Resist The Desire To Recruit Pogba

Paul Pogba (Twitter @paulpogba)

JAKARTA - The desire of big European clubs to get Paul Pogba's signature seems to be restrained. Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists the Red Devils will not sell the midfielder in the January transfer window.

Pogba has played only six times in all competitions so far this season. The French player has not played since the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in September.

The former Juventus player is struggling to heal his leg injury, but is expected to return in this Christmas period. With only 18 months remaining on a contract, Pogba is said to be leaving Old Trafford and is the target of big clubs including Real Madrid.

However, Solskjaer, who completed Manchester United for a year on Thursday, confirmed Pogba would not go anywhere in January.

"He is a fantastic player, a charismatic person and we are delighted he is here," Solskjaer told a news conference ahead of the match against Watford.

"There are all these hypotheses (of Pogba's move). I just said he will not go," he insisted.

What's that, Ole? Five days' til Christmas? 😁🎅 pic.twitter.com/rSAnsGXVMo

- Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 20, 2019

Asked what Pogba could do to stop speculation about his future, Solskjaer believes the best method for the 26-year-old is to talk on the pitch.

"When he comes back, plays well, plays with a smile on his face and does what he did a year ago when I came here," said Solskjaer.

"Paul was fantastic when he played for us. We know we have one of the best players in the world when he is playing well. He needs time to be fit of course but he will make a difference for us."

Can Pogba come back before the New Year? Solskjaer hopes so. For that, he had to look at his condition in detail.

"I'm not going to force him, of course. We need him to be 100 per cent fit, I can't risk his injury getting worse. He's training but he hasn't been training with us for a long time. He's training and that's a step forward for us."