Erik Ten Hag faces an early dilemma at Manchester United amid claims that a new record contract offer to Paul Pogba has his Red Devils teammates up in arms.
The Dutchman will be confirmed as United manager either next weekend or early next week after an agreement was reached. He will sign a three-year deal with the option of a fourth year on a salary that will come close to trebling his Ajax wages. Ten Hag will take over an under-performing squad and one – quite evidentally – riddled with a number of problems.
Indeed, a number of critical decisions will have to be made over a number of big-name stars. To that end, a report recently claimed up to 11 players will be shown the door by United this summer.
One of those, Pogba, is likely to leave as a free agent. With his deal expiring on June 30, the World Cup winner is reportedly set to move on after six seasons back with the Red Devils.
A uber-talented midfielder, Pogba has, sadly, only really shown flashes of his brilliance for United. However, as his displays for both France and previous club, Juventus, show, Pogba can be regarded on his day as one of the world’s elite midfielders.
As such, while United will be disappointed to lose a valuable asset for free, it’s a move probably in the interest of all parties. To that end, his personal trainer has revealed exactly why Pogba intends to quit and named two likely suitors.
However, it seems United are not quite ready to wave Pogba goodbye without a fight.
Pogba contract offer angers teammates
As per the Daily Mirror, club chiefs have offered him a new deal which tops £500,000 a week. That makes up a reported £400,000 a week, plus bonuses. Either way, the deal will make him the club’s record earner and best-paid player in the Premier League.
But it seems United’s decision to offer Pogba such a high wage has not gone down well with his teammates.
The paper claims United’s players do not feel Pogba worthy of such a salary. Arguing that he plays so infrequently and often airs his wishes to leave.
And a United source has told the paper that there will be mutiny in the ranks if Pogba signs the deal and stays.
The source said: “Some of the players think it’s out of order he could be getting twice as much as they’re when he hardly starts a game and talks about leaving all the time.”
Cristiano Ronaldo is currently United’s biggest earner on £450,000 a week. David De Gea takes home a reported £375,000 a week. Summer signings Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho are on £300,00 a week, while Bruno Fernandes’ recent new deal sees him earn £225,000 a week.
Transfer options open to Pogba
It all leaves incoming new boss Ten Hag with something of an early headache at Manchester United. As such, he may need to intervene to help ease the tensions. One option he could take could be to tell club bosses that he no longer wants Pogba in his side. As a result, United will be left with little option but to take the hit of losing him for free.
Inspite of all that, Pogba does have options to leave with PSG and Juventus both seemingly on his trail.
That said, were the 29-year-old to sign for either, he would have to take a pretty hefty salary cut. Indeed, former club Juve are far from the serious cash cow they once were.
As a result, any move back to Turin will ultimately see Pogba taking a drastic cut in wages. Currently on £285,000 a week, he will likely earn some distance south of that by re-signing with the Bianconeri.
That said, Pogba has played the best club football of his career in Italy. As such, there’s a growing theory that he will choose his own happiness over his wealth.
On the other hand, this will be the last major contract and he may look to maximise his earnings.
United can at least gain some salvation amid news they only face paying Ajax a lowly compensation fee for Ten Hag.
