Rangnick confirms Pogba’s contract stance & responds to Bailly’s plea

 

The latest press conference held by Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick on Friday has given rise to a pair of altogether noteworthy talking points.

First up comes the latest on the future of midfielder Paul Pogba.

The subject of French international Pogba’s contract has of course long taken its place centre stage in the headlines at Old Trafford, ahead of the expiration of his current terms come the campaign’s conclusion.

The widespread assumption throughout has been that the 29-year-old will ultimately opt to move on, in a bid to seek out one final high-profile transfer before entering the twilight years of his career.

In turn, after confirming that Pogba is unlikely to feature over the remaining weeks of the campaign owing to a fresh injury concern, it came as little surprise when the subject of his oft-criticized midfielder’s future was put to Red Devils boss Ralf Rangnick.

And the German, from here, all but confirmed Pogba’s imminent free agent exit:

🚨 Paul Pogba’s set to leave Man United as free agent. Ralf Rangnick confirms: “As things stand, Pogba will NOT renew his contract with Manchester United”. 🔴 #MUFC

“It’s most likely that he won’t be here anymore next season”, Rangnick added. @utdreport pic.twitter.com/M8Y9yjSfQN

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 22, 2022

‘Should not happen’

Rangnick was then drawn on another member of his side’s ranks to have piqued attentions in the buildup to United’s highly-anticipated Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

The player in question? Eric Bailly.

Late on Thursday, stopper Bailly took to Instagram to respond to a comment on the part of a member of the Manchester United fanbase.

The post in question came under a collection of photos from the club’s training ground, reading ‘Start Eric Bailly x Varane’, essentially pleading for captain Harry Maguire to be dropped to the bench at the Emirates this weekend.

And Bailly, in turn, was quick to reveal his support for the message, responding with ‘please’, accompanied by a laughing emoji and a pair of praying hands:

If the ensuing comments on the part of his manager are anything to go by, however, then the Ivorian’s public plea does not appear to have gone down all too well at Old Trafford…

When drawn on the situation by the media on Friday, Ralf Rangnick revealed his take that such antics simply ‘should not happen in a football club, no matter the league’:

Rangnick on Eric Bailly asking to play more on Instagram: “If it’s true what you told me that should not happen in a football club, no matter in which league.” #mulive

— utdreport (@utdreport) April 22, 2022

 

Solely to blame or a victim of circumstance? A look at Paul Pogba’s Man United career

Arsenal vs Manchester United betting tips: Premier League preview, predictions and odds

 

---