Real Madrid leads list of teams Man United star Paul Pogba should play for next season

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  • Paul Pogba is the latest in a long line of high-profile names to fall out with Jose Mourinho.

    The relationship between the Manchester United duo has soured over the last couple of weeks and rather curiously so.

    The Portuguese has struggled to build a team of real quality to restore the club’s ethos of attacking football and tradition of challenging for top honours but has inexplicably picked a fight with one of the few players of calibre capable of helping him achieve his goal.

    Following the goalless draw away to Sevilla in a last-16 Champions League first leg tie, Pogba posted an image of himself on Instagram looking rather distraught with the caption: “God’s plan.”

    Speculation of a move away from Old Trafford in the summer was already rife but the Frenchman’s cryptic social media message has sent the rumour mill into overdrive.

    Here, we look at five teams Pogba could be playing for next season.

    REAL MADRID

    It’s no secret that Real Madrid are in desperate need of reinforcements. Regardless of the success you achieve, the squad always needs fresh blood and that was Zinedine Zidane’s major oversight this season.

    He’s known to be an admirer of Pogba though and should be keen to recruit his compatriot in a bid to freshen up his midfield which has gone somewhat stale. At 32, Luka Modric is starting to slow down while Toni Kroos has never been one to carry the ball forward from midfield.

    With Mateo Kovacic thus far failing to meet expectations, Los Blancos are in need of a more dynamic presence in the middle of the park.

    VERDICT

    Pogba is a showman and there’s no audience in football more craving of a spectacle than the one that frequents the Bernabeu.

    Surrounded by world class players and under the tutelage of one of the greatest midfielders to play the game, it’s difficult to imagine the Frenchman failing in an environment so conducive for his individuality and flair.

    RATING – 8/10

    Zinedine Zidane

    Zinedine Zidane

    BARCELONA

    The search for Andres Iniesta’s successor rumbles on. Christian Eriksen is widely considered to be the favourite to assume the role but Tottenham chief Daniel Levy is known to drive a hard bargain and so nothing is a given.

    The Catalans have lacked quality in midfield with Ivan Rakitic being a little hit and miss this season while Paulinho has failed to maintain his early season form, leaving Sergio Busquets to shoulder much of the responsibility in the middle of the park.

    VERDICT

    While Pogba would inject quality and attacking verve into Barcelona’s midfield, the prospect of a player in his mould turning out for La Blaugrana seems unnatural, perhaps even more so than Paulinho. He doesn’t fit into their philosophy, inclined to hold onto possession rather than instinctively find a team-mate, take on players instead of recycling possession.

    Ernesto Valverde

    Ernesto Valverde

    RATING – 6/10

    PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

    Signing Pogba would be a massive coup for the Ligue 1 giants, particularly given their quest for European glory. The Frenchman’s popularity would also elevate their stock in turn.

    Pogba would compliment the star-studded front-line that would operate ahead of him while being ably supported in midfield by the likes of Marco Verratti and Adrien Rabiot.

    Despite the level in France, there’s no doubting that PSG do play attacking football and Pogba is bound to enjoy his time on the pitch with complete freedom to express himself.

    VERDICT

    Pogba isn’t going to be swayed by the prospect of dominating French football. So the question is, does he think PSG can challenge for the Champions League? With the likes of Neymar, Mbappe and Cavani, on board, he may be persuaded to believe they can and accept the monotony of barely being challenged in the league.

    RATING – 7/10

    Unai Emery

    Unai Emery

    JUVENTUS

    There has been some talk linking Pogba back to the place where he thrived as a young budding midfielder before he was purchased for a world record fee.

    He’s already shown a willingness to return to a club by re-signing for United. Juventus continue to challenge on all fronts, even if they may have a tough time making it to the Champions League quarter-finals this time around.

    Perhaps the familiarity of Turin will restore Pogba to his best?

    VERDICT

    It’s a nice thought but he wouldn’t be returning to the same team or even the same midfield with the dynamic Arturo Vidal and masterful Andrea Pirlo no longer at the club.

    Although he returned to Manchester, being the star at the dawn of a new era at Old Trafford was an appealing challenge to undertake. A move to Juventus at this juncture though may feel more like a step back. Not to mention the huge wage cut he’d have to take.

    RATING – 5/10

    Massimiliano Allegri

    Massimiliano Allegri

    MANCHESTER UNITED

    Despite the current climate in the United camp, the club will not want to lose one of their most prized assets. The hope is that the alleged rift between player and manager blows over and all will be well again.

    A sensational Manchester City side has blown the rest of the Premier League competition out of the water but United remain competitive on other fronts having secured a quarter-final berth in the FA Cup and are still poised to do the same in the Champions League, all while playing nowhere near their best.

    Surely things can only get better next season? After all, this campaign has certainly been an improvement on the last.

    VERDICT

    Pogba is clearly troubled at United but it wasn’t long ago that he was deemed indispensable and it being proclaimed that United couldn’t operate without him. His form has suffered lately but it’s not down to just him.

    The team itself seems to be unbalanced. It could be that a couple of signings in the summer make all the difference, a midfield pass-master in the mould of Jorginho or Toni Kroos being chief among them.

    Mourinho has the look of a man one move away from solving the puzzle, perhaps it’s that proximity to the right formula that’s the source of his frustration. If it all clicks into place though, United remains a great place for Pogba to play his football.

    RATING – 8/10

    Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba

    Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba

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