Sir Alex Ferguson is looking to tie Paul Pogba down on fresh terms, but admits he is finding the youngster's agent 'difficult' to deal with.
United want youngster to stay, but agent is making life 'difficult'
Sir Alex Ferguson is looking to tie Paul Pogba down on fresh terms, but admits he is finding the youngster's agent 'difficult' to deal with.
The 18-year-old arrived at Old Trafford in controversial circumstances in 2009, with his transfer from Le Havre generating the wrong kind of headlines.
He has only recently made the step up from the youth ranks into the senior set-up at the reigning Premier League champions, but is already mulling over his options.
Talks regarding a new deal have so far come to nothing, with reports suggesting a key member of United's 2011 FA Youth Cup winning side could soon be on his way.
The Red Devils are adamant that will not be the case, with there a 12-month option on Pogba's current contract that they are yet to take up.
They are, however, eager to see him agree fresh terms and Ferguson admits he had hoped negotiations would run a lot smoother than they have done.
Advice
"Pogba has an agent who has obviously become a bit difficult," said the United boss.
"But we are negotiating and we want the boy to stay.
"If he doesn't want to there is not a lot you can do about it. You just hope he gets the right advice.
"We have an option on his contract so in that respect there is not a great emergency. But if he wants to be a Manchester United player he knows what to do."
The suggestion seems to be that Pogba has been offered more money elsewhere.
Given his lack of experience, United are unlikely to match those lucrative terms.
Decision
However, Ferguson has offered some fairly straightforward advice for the teenager, who is set to be propelled into United's Premier League squad over Christmas following confirmation Darren Fletcher is going to be missing for an indefinite period due to a chronic inflammatory bowel condition.
"Matt Busby summed it up perfectly when he said you don't need to chase money at a club like Manchester United," said Ferguson.
"He said it will eventually find you if you are a good enough player.
"You become rich playing for Manchester United. Players can chase money early in their career but at the end it is not the same as if they'd stayed here.
"The player has to take the decision himself but you wouldn't think you'd need to consider what he has too long.
"He just needs to look around him to realise."
