Pogba HAS to go
No way at all he will sign a new deal so we are letting £50m+ player go for free next summer (and not sure the club really want to deal with Raiola either) if he doesnt get sold / swapped in June.
Even without that consideration, IF we got the player we had today then it would be a very very difficult decision to make as he was absolutely world class - but in the last 4 or five years how often have we actually got those performances - certainly a large % less than then times he has taken to the field (and dont forget how often he has been unavailable in the last two seasons either).
a lot of things have to work out - but Varane for Pogba direct swap ? Might help both clubs with significant contractual issues and if reports are true Varane wants to experience the EPL.... might work for all parties (admittedly there maybe a transfer value difference, but there might be a wage difference in the other direction to balance it out).
Even if Varane isnt an option there are a few others that might resolve other issues for Utd (Bailly + ~£25m for Pau Torres? again another player with injury issues who is a decent player on his day but cant be completely relied upon).
I just dont see any Juve options for player swaps (I really hope Rabiot rumour is just that and nothing factual) even if CR leaves so Juve can afford Pogba's wages, and Im not sure they can afford a decent cash amount.
The other possible option for Pogba is PSG of course but that rumour died down very quickly seemingly , hasnt been mentioned for some time as far as Ive seen.
Rice would be a perfect solution but way over priced for his experience etc - even if Lingard is part of the deal it will still be far too expensive imo - but maybe Neves is a reasonable option would certainly improve Man Utd squad with or without Pogba (if the rumoured club restructure at Wolves is correct)
Personally I would get a proper right winger that can start 30-40 games a season so that we can vary our attacks a lot more and hence spread defenders all across the pitch. 1st class winger and a cheaper striker is a better way forward than vice versa. Whether Cavani stays or goes (and I think he will go) we need a striker anyway.
To my mind the below can leave without it affecting the squad that much (or contractual issues forcing the situation);
Pogba, De Gea, Jones, Bailly, Dalot, Perreira, Lingard and Mata - even with Covid prices and a pay off for De Gea, that lot should raise nearly £100m (not incl Pogba who is more than likely going to have to be a player swap to get any kind of value). There is also the Martial question - he isnt a CF by any means, but he doesnt want to play on the wing - but that doesnt have to be resolved this summer either, and he could get his form back with a rest over the summer.
Admittedly that is a lot of deals to do, but majority of them are pretty cheap so shouldnt be that difficult to get rid of (although whether the club will want to lose money on some of them is another matter entirely).
Since Ole came in there has been significant progress every season , yes of course winning the EL this season (or something next season) would be fantastic, but I dont think its the be all and end all just yet.
Remember he had to get rid of a lot of dead wood which took a significant amount of time, and the above list of players is mostly dead wood now as well. Its un-precedented times - and dont forget, just think where we would be with Martial and or Greenwood performing even 1/2 as good as last season , pretty hard to predict both would have such a torrid time infront of goal.
Ole is also getting better at making subs (8 goals by subs last season vs 15 so far this season according to Sky today) - Utd have made significant progress year on year but there are still blatant squad /1st team holes as well. Ole deserves to be able to create his own team fully and more importantly has earnt the time to do it.
Huge pity about the Dof debacle (should have been an external appointment imo and hten the club would still have Butt who has been brilliant for the Academy etc in the last 9 years) but nothing Ole could have done about that.
