Paul Pogba does not like losing games of football

Paul Pogba has staggered the world of football by launching an astonishing broadside on the concept of losing.

The 27-year-old French midfielder is reportedly close to extending his stay at Manchester United and is set to sign a new, five-year deal before the start of the new season.

Pogba had wanted to leave to join Real Madrid or Juventus, but neither club were willing to make a move for him because Ed Woodward was unwilling to accept a loss on the £89 million they paid for him, with some suggestions that they wanted almost £150 million.

This was a twin problem for Pogba, because he had not put in more than five decent performances for the club in his second spell and had spent much of the second half of the season injured, with the first half of the season a chance for him to demonstrate his underwhelming form. The coronavirus meant that the relative financial strength of United meant that his possible suitors did not want to splash out on him, and his current club can afford to give him a raise.

“There is a positive pressure on us and we want to win the last three games,” Pogba thundered at BT Sport ahead of United’s win against Crystal Palace on Thursday night.

“We want to win the Europa League, the FA Cup. Last year we didn’t win any trophies and I felt empty. We just have to keep working to get there.”

United face Chelsea at the weekend in their FA Cup semi-final, but after a congested run of games in the Premier League and little squad rotation, it appears likely that they will rest some of their first team names.

The club are desperate to finish in the Champions League spots, with fifth place no longer sufficient after Manchester City won their appeal against a ban from European football.