Man Utd chief Ed Woodward risks making same transfer mistake as Sir Alex Ferguson

Man Utd: Pogba hones skills amid exit talk

Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward risks making the same mistake as former manager Sir Alex Ferguson as midfielder Paul Pogba could leave on a free transfer again next summer. The Frenchman has been on the fringes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting XI and is linked with a move to Juventus.

Ferguson was usually very good in the transfer market but letting Pogba leave for free in 2012 is one his most costly mistakes.

The Red Devils had to shell out £89million to Juventus when they re-signed the World Cup winner four years later.

Solskjaer does not hold the same transfer power as Ferguson once did because chief executive Woodward takes the hands-on approach behind-the-scenes.

Woodward has two transfer windows left cash in on Pogba, but his value will significantly decrease come the end of the season.

Sky Sports transfer expert Dharmesh Sheth claims Pogba wanted to open contract talks last summer and is disappointed negotiations were not started.

If Woodward does not act quickly then he risks letting the 27-year-old walk away for nothing.

“I think it’s very unlikely unless something monumental was to happen,” Sheth said of Pogba leaving United this month on The Transfer Show.

“But Manchester United, since Mino Raiola said an exit was likely in the summer (not January), they haven’t said anything. Is that because they haven’t offered him a new contract?

“As far as I’m aware, they haven’t and he has 18 months left. Pogba, I was told, expected United to open contract talks with him at the end of last season. Those talks have not materialised.

“Now we’re in a situation where United realistically have two transfer windows to get money for him, or risk losing him for a second time for no money at all.”

Although Pogba is unlikely to leave, Sheth believes there are a host of other fringe players who could be moved on.

He added: “There are players Manchester United would like to see leave the club this window – you’ve got Sergio Romero, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Odion Ighalo would want to know where his future likes, and finally there’s Jesse Lingard.

“His year option was triggered at the back end of last year, so runs until the summer of 2022.

“His representatives are talking to other clubs, but no decision has been made by either Lingard or the club as to whether he would leave.

“That’s because there is a great rapport between the club and Lingard, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Lingard, so they want what is best for Lingard.”

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