Paul Pogba retains the support of the Manchester United squad despite admitting he ‘dreams’ of joining Real Madrid.
French World Cup winner Pogba has been persistently linked with a move to the Bernabeu since returning to Old Trafford for £89m in 2016.
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is a known admirer of Pogba, who is closing in on 200 appearances for Manchester United and helped the club win the Europa League and EFL Cup in 2017.
During the ongoing international break, Pogba was asked about a move to Madrid and about working with Zidane and said: ‘We all heard it, things were said.
‘My reply? Yes, every football player would like to play at Real Madrid. It may be a dream. It’s a dream for me, why not one day?’
While Pogba went on to insist he is committed to Manchester United and ‘loving’ his time at Old Trafford, a number of fans wished he had avoided the topic altogether.
But Pogba’s comments have not affected his relationship with his team-mates, according to the MEN, who claim his popularity has not waned and that he is still viewed as the best player at the club.
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol slammed Pogba for his Real Madrid comments, telling ESPN FC: ‘I don’t understand why players are so stupid, because somebody asks you a question you don’t have to answer it.
‘If you’re going to answer it all you say is, “I’m doing my very best at Manchester United and that’s the only thing I’m thinking about”, and that’s the end of the story.
‘I think it tells you more about Paul Pogba. I’ve been sticking up for him for a long time, probably the first couple of years of his time at Man United.
‘But when he’s at United amongst players that need some guidance and leadership, he can’t do it because he’s only interested in doing his thing, and if his thing’s not working, then he’s contributing nothing.
‘I think he’s shown his true colours, he isn’t changing now. If I’m Real Madrid, unless I’m going to go back to the Galacticos, then you don’t want Paul Pogba, because he’s not going to help you.’
