Paul Pogba at Manchester United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says French World Cup winner expected to stay at Old Trafford
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Paul Pogba will remain at Manchester United despite continued speculation of him leaving Old Trafford before the European transfer window closes at the end of August.
The 26-year-old has been the subject of intense speculation over the summer, with his openness about a desire for a new challenge elsewhere compounded by comments from his agent Mino Raiola.
But unlike fellow wantaway star Romelu Lukaku, Pogba knuckled down during pre-season and provided two assists in the 4-0 win over Chelsea in United's Premier League opener.
The midfielder was naturally upbeat after that victory but talk swirled once more when he also admitted "there's always that question mark" about his future.
"You always put question marks around Paul," United boss Solskjaer said when those comments were put to him ahead of Monday's trip to Wolves.
"I don't think it's odd saying enjoy playing, I have fun with my team-mates, I enjoy what I'm doing, I love my job and enjoy the game.
"Of course, that sentence with the question mark about him, there's always question marks about Paul.
"There's not one press conference that I've not answered a question about Paul Pogba. Eighty per cent of what he said was that he enjoyed that game and his time here."
Pogba question marks
Asked about the other 20 per cent, Solskjaer said: "That's the question mark. Is he questioning you or are you putting question marks on him? I've got absolutely no concerns on Paul."
Links to Real Madrid persist and Mathias Pogba this week claimed his brother wants to leave.
Pushed on whether Pogba will definitely be a United player when the European transfer window shuts on September 2, Solskjaer said: "Unless some... for me, yeah, he's going to stay."
While the World Cup winner looks set to stay, surely something has to give when it comes to defensive options.
Harry Maguire's record-breaking arrival has swollen the number of first-team central defenders to seven, although Eric Bailly faces a spell on the sidelines injured.
Too many defenders on the books
Victor Lindelof partnered the former Leicester defender on the opening weekend, while academy graduate Axel Tuanzebe - who Solskjaer believes has a "big, big part of this club in the future" - was named on the bench.
Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo were conspicuous by their absence from the squad, with the United manager conceding they are overstocked.
"That will be for us to work out, and of course I do have too many centre-backs to keep everyone happy," Solskjaer said.
"But we need to win games, we need to perform, so we're going to pick the players that will give us the biggest chance to win games. They're all quality centre-backs and I know that we will need quite a few of them.
"Of course, Eric's injury means that at the moment I've got six fit ones, which is maybe one too many to keep everyone involved.
"But then that's our jobs, to make the most of what we have now, and for them as well to make sure every day in training.
"And when they get the chance, because they will - we've got loads of games, play well when you get it. All of these, Marcos, Phil, Chris... they've been here for a long time and they've proven that they can do it."
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