As fans continue to wait for confirmation, the Manchester Evening News report that they are not alone, with Jose Mourinho joining them in the anxious wait for the deal to be announced. The midfielder is said to be ready to undergo a medical this week in an attempt to tie the move up by next week.
After such prolonged negotiations, all parties are hoping for a swift end to the deal, which will allow Pogba to join his new teammates to regain match fitness before the Premier League season kicks off in just a few weeks. With the player currently due to join training on Monday after his holiday, Juventus will not want the player disrupting their preparations whilst United will not want to delay his return to fitness.
Another player returning for pre-season training, Bastian Schweinsteiger, could be in for a tense arrival, report the Independent. After much speculation that the German World Cup winner is one of those who Jose Mourinho wants to cull from his squad to make way for the likes of Paul Pogba. Yesterday, his brother was the latest to chip in, tweeting about “no respect” while Schweinsteiger himself told fans he will see them soon.
For United, the much anticipated signing of Schweinsteiger has not worked out as hoped, with just 13 league starts to his name last season as he suffered a number of injuries. Training with the reserves upon his return to training on Monday, the German’s days at Old Trafford seem numbered, but Schweinsteiger looks set to be the ultimate professional until he does depart.
A possible replacement for the midfielder may well be Blaise Matuidi, but there is bad news on that front. The questionable source of TransferMarketWeb claim that Arsene Wenger is hoping to swoop in and complete a deal for the PSG midfielder. A switch to Manchester had previously seemed to be in advanced stages, but has since gone quiet despite the Frenchman reportedly being free to leave his current club.
Matuidi would undoubtedly be a quality addition, but the club must consider its ability to fork out the fee required after already having spent on other positions and splashed out on Paul Pogba. Whilst Mourinho may want to cull Schweinsteiger and others, like Marouane Fellaini, finding a club for them may be easier said than done. The Old Trafford outfit cannot afford to gamble financially without the riches of Champions League football.
The Sun also claim that the Red Devils have handed a trial to 20-year-old Liandro Martis. The Curaçao international impressed scouts whilst on trial at Oldham earlier this summer, and has also received an offer from Leicester City after a trial there. United would easily be able to fend off Oldham’s interest, but the offer from the current champions may be harder to beat.
With Mourinho’s record with bringing youth players through to the first team having been questioned frequently since his appointment, it will be intriguing to see if the player is keen on signing for the club, and whether the Portuguese boss is ready to give him a chance in the first team in the near future.
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