Man Utd ‘factored in’ Pogba leaving on a free ‘five years ago’

Man Utd prepared for Paul Pogba leaving on a free transfer this summer when they re-signed him from Juventus, according to reports.

The 28-year-old started the season off in brilliant form, contributing five assists in their opening two Premier League matches of the season.

He added two more assists against Newcastle United at the beginning of last month but his form has tailed off in the last eight matches in all competitions.

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And Pogba didn’t cover himself in glory when he was sent off in the Red Devils’ recent 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Liverpool on Sunday with Paul Scholes suggesting it should be the last game he plays for Man Utd.

The France international is out of contract in the summer with his agent, Mino Raiola, reportedly offering his services to Real Madrid, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

There has been intense speculation over Pogba’s future at Man Utd for several years now with Raiola stoking the flames on a regular basis.

And ESPN now claim that Man Utd ‘are prepared to lose Paul Pogba for free next summer after accepting the midfielder will not sign a new contract at Old Trafford’.

The website have been told that ‘United factored in the likelihood of Pogba leaving as a free agent at the end of his contract when they agreed his transfer fee and wages five years ago’.

ESPN added:

‘Although the club could raise a fee for Pogba by offloading him in the January transfer window, sources have said that United’s owners, the Glazer family, are relaxed about the possibility of missing out on a transfer fee, having decided that the benefits of having the player available for the final six months of the season outweigh the potential financial boost of moving him on in January.

‘United have made repeated efforts to persuade Pogba to sign a new contract, but senior figures have believed since the end of last season that it was unlikely that he would commit to new terms, with plans already being made to strengthen the midfield without him next summer.’

Pogba rejoined Man Utd in August 2016 for £89.1m from Juventus but his 38 goals in 211 appearances have only brought him a League Cup and Europa League medal.