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There aren’t many players around the world who generate as much debate as Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.
Ever since the Frenchman returned to United from Juventus in 2016, there has been a lot of talk about whether he has been good enough, what his best position is, and whether he has the right attitude to perform at Old Trafford.
He has now opened the door to a move away from Manchester, as he recently said: “For me I have been for three years in Manchester and have been doing great; some good moments and some bad moments, like everybody. Like everywhere else.
“After this season and everything that happened this season, with my season being my best season as well ... I think for me it could be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else. I am thinking of this: to have a new challenge somewhere else.”
The 26-year-old has been heavily linked with some of Europe’s biggest clubs this summer, with both Juventus and Real Madrid reportedly battling it out over his signature.
Last season was Pogba’s best in terms of numbers as a United player, as he scored 13 Premier League goals, as well as providing nine assists. However, it was a season of failure for United as a whole, as they finished sixth in the Premier League, and were knocked out in the quarterfinals of both the Champions League and FA Cup.
If Pogba is to leave United this summer, then they must surely reinvest the funds from his transfer in a replacement, as his departure would leave them short in the centre of the park. Here are five men who could replace him at Old Trafford this summer.
#1 Youri Tielemans (Monaco)
From what we have seen from United’s transfer business so far this summer, they are looking to rebuild the squad with a number of young, very talented players. Already, they have bought in Daniel James from Swansea City, while they have also made a bid for Crystal Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The next man on that list could be Youri Tielemans, who enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Leicester City in the second half of last season.
As we saw during his first few months in charge of the club, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to instill a passing style of football at Old Trafford, and Tielemans fits the bill. At 22, he already looks like a class act, and scored three times, and made four assists, in his time at Leicester last season. He won’t come cheap, because of his obvious potential, but he would be an excellent addition to this United side.
#2 Tanguy Ndombele (Lyon)
One of the biggest transfer battles of the summer will undoubtedly involve Tanguy Ndombele. It is no surprise to see Lyon produce yet another excellent prospect, as the likes of Karim Benzema, Miralem Pjanic, and Samuel Umtiti have all come through the French side’s academy in recent years. The latest man off the production line is Ndombele, and given the interest in him from around Europe, he may be the most talented yet.
Tottenham and Juventus are two of the clubs closely monitoring the midfielder, while he has also attracted interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona. As a midfielder, the 22-year-old has an excellent all round game. He reads the game well in the centre of the park, and has the ability to win the ball back. He is also an excellent passer of the ball, and would certainly fit well in the team Solskjaer is trying to build.
#3 Adrien Rabiot (Free agent)
There is an awful lot of work to be done in the transfer market at United this summer, and they need improvements all over the pitch. Because of this, it may be useful if they are able to bring in a couple of bargains, and there may be no better bargain than bringing in Adrien Rabiot on a free transfer. The French midfielder is currently without a club, after leaving PSG at the end of last season, having been with the Ligue 1 giants since 2010.
The 24-year-old is one of the most sought-after players in European football at this moment in time, and has attracted interest from Spain and Italy, as well as England. He is a very different player to Pogba, but he has the ability to dictate play in midfield, and could be someone who really helps get the best out the players around him.
#4 Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona)
Whereas most of the players on this list are young, and probably have the best part of their career to come, Ivan Rakitic is a man you could argue is a touch past his best. However, one thing United have suffered from in the last couple of years is that they have lacked experience in key areas, and they have been short of leaders both on and off the pitch. Bringing in someone like Rakitic would help give Solskjaer more control in the dressing room, something that he seemed to lack when things went wrong towards the end of last season.
At 31, Rakitic has won all there is to be won in European football. He may feel that it is time for a new challenge, and he could be someone United can build their side around this season. The Croatian midfielder may find his opportunities limited this season, after Barcelona spent big on Frenkie de Jong, and the time may be right for him to leave the Nou Camp.
#5 Bruno Fernandes (Sporting Lisbon)
It may be that Solskjaer is looking to replace Pogba with someone who can provide more goals from midfield at Old Trafford. In that case, there weren’t many better goalscoring midfielders in Europe last season that Sporting Lisbon’s Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder netted 31 goals in 50 games in all competitions last season, and he is now attracting interest from across Europe.
It may mean that Solskjaer has to make one or two changes to his system next season, but whatever front three he played last season, they were often inconsistent, and United suffered because of that. The 24-year-old is someone who will get himself into positions to score goals, and as he has showed in Portugal this season, he is more than capable of putting the ball in the net when he gets there. He may not come cheap, as there is competition for his signature, but he would undoubtedly improve this United side.
