Mino Raiola on Paul Pogba: "(He) is unhappy at Man Utd, he can't manage to express himself like he wants to... He needs to change team"; France midfielder contracted to Man Utd until June 2022; Pogba "not worth the hassle", says Jamie Carragher
Tuesday 8 December 2020 15:06, UK
Paul Pogba is unhappy at Manchester United and has to leave the club in the summer transfer window, according to his agent Mino Raiola.
Pogba, whose contract is due to expire in the summer of 2022, has only started five Premier League games for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season after recovering from Covid-19.
He scored his first league goal of the season in United's 3-1 comeback win over West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday.
However, the France midfielder's agent says he "needs a change of scenery" and Manchester United should consider offloading him or face the prospect of losing him on a free transfer because he has no intention of extending his current deal.
Speaking to Tuttosport, Raiola said: "There's no point beating about the bush. It's better to speak out clearly, look forward and avoid wasting time to find culprits.
"Paul is unhappy at Man Utd, he can't manage to express himself like he wants to and like people expect him to.
"He needs to change team, he needs a change of scenery. He has a contract that will expire in a year and a half, in the summer of 2022, but the best solution for all parties is a transfer in the next (summer) window.
"Otherwise the Old Trafford club, which I have a great relationship with, knows well that they would risk losing him on a free transfer, given that at the moment it's not the player's intention to extend the contract.
"If anybody can't understand this, then they know little or nothing about football. Anyway, they're free to direct all the blame to myself if Paul were to leave next summer."
Pogba, who rejoined United from Juventus for £89m in 2016, revealed in October his desire to play for La Liga giants Real Madrid.
However, Raiola said that a return to Turin in the future should not be ruled out.
"Maybe Juventus could be his next destination. Why not? Among other things, the relationship with the club and his former team-mates is excellent," he said.
"In these COVID times, not many can afford Paul but the important thing is wanting to sign him."
Manchester United declined to comment when approached by Sky Sports News.
Speaking on Monday Night Football, Jamie Carragher labelled Pogba and Raiola a "disgrace" and urged Manchester United to move the Frenchman on at the earliest opportunity.
"Get rid," said the Sky Sports pundit. "I've been saying this for 12 months. He is the most overrated player I've ever seen in my life.
"I think the two of them are a disgrace. We'll all blame the agent now and say, 'Ask Pogba - what does he think?'
"Agents in this day and age, they're not just agents. They're a parent, they're a best friend, they're a financial advisor, they book holidays, they go away with each other.
"He will be Pogba's best mate, so Pogba will be well aware of what's going to come out of his mouth - and if he wasn't, he should sack his agent. It's very simple. That's all that needs to happen.
"With Cristiano Ronaldo at United, there was always talk that he was going to go to Real Madrid and almost everybody knew he was going to go to Madrid at some stage.
"Man United had to put up with it because he was worth the hassle. Pogba is not worth the hassle. Get rid of him."
The issue for United, according to Carragher, will be finding an appropriate suitor for the 27-year-old.
"There's no chance in the world that Real Madrid or Barcelona will buy him," he added.
"I've been flabbergasted already today with Arsenal's performance, but I'll be flabbergasted again if they come in for him. I wouldn't go anywhere near him."
