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Ralf Rangnick addresses Paul Pogba comments on international duty

Rangnick addresses Pogba comments on international duty
© Reuters
Manchester United interim head coach Ralf Rangnick plays down Paul Pogba's comments while on international duty with France.

Manchester United interim head coach Ralf Rangnick has played down Paul Pogba's recent comments while on international duty with France.

The 29-year-old, who did not start his club's last match against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, said during an interview towards the end of last month that he did not have a clear role at Old Trafford.

Pogba also suggested that he will leave the Red Devils when his contract expires at the end of June, but Rangnick has not read too much into the World Cup winner's comments, with the interim manager only focusing on Saturday's Premier League clash with Leicester City.

"I've got enough to do now to prepare the team for the next game," Rangnick told reporters. "Tomorrow's game is another important one and I don't think it makes sense to interpret or just judge what he has maybe said in an interview, it doesn't make sense, that's something you can do if you want. For me, it's only important to judge him.

"I heard he said he had played in different positions in the last couple of weeks. Yes, of course, since the game against West Ham on January 22, we have lost three strikers since then - Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood and even with Edinson Cavani - who is injured again, unfortunately, and will be out for the next couple of weeks.

"And, on top of that, if Paul was still injured himself, then players like Bruno [Fernandes] against Tottenham or Scott McTominay are missing, then, of course, somebody else has to play in a different tole. And if this is somebody like Paul, who is flexible and can play 6, 8, and even 10, then this is a normal thing."

Real Madrid, Juventus, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are all believed to be interested in signing the midfielder on a free transfer this summer.

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Written by
Matt Law

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