As fractious as the relationship may be, Manchester United will not let Paul Pogba leave the club without a fight this summer.
That is according to United We Stand editor Andy Mitten, who explained that United's record signing is likely to finally leave the club for the second time this summer.
The 26-year-old midfielder has missed 37 games with an ankle injury this season but question marks have lingered over whether the French international would be eager to play for United even if he was fit.
Speaking on Friday's OTB AM, Mitten explained that he would love to see Pogba return but that it appeared unlikely: "It could and I'd love it to happen.
"A lot of United fans have completely given up on Pogba; he wants to leave the club, there are deep suspicions about his reluctance to play.
"I still think he's the most talented player in the football club."
The ever unresolved question over Pogba's future will be having a negative influence on the dressing room, Mitten added.
"The dynamic is difficult because he has been the main man in the dressing room. A lot of the players look up to him. I'm talking about Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and when they know he wants to go I'm not sure that's a good thing either."
With the European Championships approaching this summer, Mitten says it could still be in Pogba's interest to return for Solskjaer's side: "I doubt that France – even though it's Paul Pogba – would pick him if he's not playing games for Manchester United."
"I'd love Paul Pogba to be thinking, now there is actually real potential in this team. Bring another player or two in the summer and they could be challenging and Pogba could be a major part of that. He was the top scorer last year, he's versatile. But where does he play now?
"His role, Fernandes is now making his own – the Paul Scholes role, if you like – and people are quite comfortable with him staying there and they aren't uncomfortable with Pogba leaving."
While everything is pointing to the World Cup winner departing this summer, Mitten predicts that Pogba and his agent – Mino Raiola – will have to fight to leave the club on their terms.
"United will not let him go easily. They have not been impressed by the conduct of his agent one bit.
"They do not want to make it easy for him to leave the club and while they might not get the stratospheric number they thought a year ago (£150 million) they would be extremely reluctant to let him leave for a loss."
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