Pundit backs Man Utd to go ‘all out’ to replace Pogba with PL star

Former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips has backed Man Utd to go “all out” to sign Declan Rice next summer to replace Paul Pogba.

The Red Devils paid a then world-record fee of around £89m to re-sign Pogba from Juventus in 2016.

The midfielder has been criticised throughout his second spell at the club. He was sent off against Liverpool on Sunday as his side were beaten 5-0 at Old Trafford.

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Pogba’s current deal at Man Utd expires in 2022 and he has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Rice meanwhile has established himself as one of the best young players in the Premier League. He shone for West Ham last season and he was also impressive at Euro 2020.

The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to Man Utd and Chelsea in recent months. He was valued at around £100m during the summer.

Phillips has told Football Insider that Man Utd should have used the Jadon Sancho money to bring Rice in:

“The midfield area, this is a big problem. They need to look at it,” Phillips said.

“The two names that immediately spring to mind are, dare I say it, Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice.

“Rice is a top-class player. I think Man U will probably be looking at him with regret.

“Let’s be honest, they should have invested the Sancho money in Rice.

“Will Paul Pogba be there next season? If they can sell him in January to free up some cash, they might just do it.

“I think they will go all out for Rice in the summer.”

Elsewhere, Paul Scholes has called out Pogba for causing “mayhem” at Man Utd:

“He’s caused mayhem over the last couple of years. Everyone knows what a talent he is, everybody trusts him, every manager trusts him, tried to give him his head and let him be the player he’s been.

“But with all the commotion, not signing his contract, almost holding the club to ransom. Then he comes on and does something like that.

“It’s not Ole’s fault, don’t get me wrong. But that’s part of it which almost summed the United performance up today.

“Look, he probably will play [again] won’t he? But I don’t think they will be missing anything if he doesn’t.

“He’s had numerous chances, he keeps saying he lacks consistency, but that is just [a lack of] discipline and disrespect for your manager and your team-mates, what he’s done today.”