Manchester United have triggered a one-year option on Paul Pogba’s contract, extending the France midfielder’s deal until June 2022, British media reported Friday.
The 27-year old returned to United from Juventus in a then world-record deal worth 89m pounds ($114.93m) in 2016 but Pogba has suffered with inconsistent form and injuries at Old Trafford amid constant speculation over his future.
The reports said United’s decision to extend his contract was taken before Pogba said on international duty with France that he would love to play for Real Madrid one day.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brushed off those comments from the Frenchman, who would have been out of contract next June, during his news conference on the eve of Saturday’s Premier League clash at Newcastle United.
Meanwhile, United skipper Harry Maguire is keen to play on and overcome his poor recent displays for club and country but could miss the Newcastle game with a knock, Solskjaer added.
Maguire endured a torrid time in United’s 6-1 thrashing by Tottenham Hotspur before the international break and sustained an injury before being sent off in England’s 1-0 Nations League defeat by Denmark Wednesday.
But Solskjaer backed the 27-year old, who also featured in England’s 2-1 win over Belgium, to give his critics a fitting response if he is fit enough to play this weekend.
United’s defeat by Spurs left them in 16th place with three points from as many matches and Solskjaer said his players were ready to turn their fortunes around.
