Old Trafford are hopeful in their hope and believe that Paul Pogba’s much-anticipated midfield partnership with Bruno Fernandes will hold the key towards the Frenchman’s long-term future, althoough both are yet to play together because the Portuguese star’s arrival at Old Trafford was inopportune as it had coincided with the World Cup winner’s ankle injury.
The France star has now fully recovered and believes his pending combination with Fernandes can spark improvements for the Red Devils.
Since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon in January, Fernandes’ galvanising impact on United has been greatly felt and Pogba feels that his presence has helped the team gel well as a unit.
Pogba’s existing contract expires at the end of next season but United have the option to extend it by another 12 months, assuming that the star’s super agent, Mino Raiola, does not shanghai his charge and ship him off to other clubs.
The club are yet to activate the clause, which would prevent the possibility of Pogba signing a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club from January. It is believed that United, though, are expected to trigger the renewal at the end of the season even if it’s merely to protect his value.
Pogba’s future has been the constant subject of intense scrutiny in recent months and he has been regularly linked with Real Madrid and a return to Juventus.
However, Sportsmail understands the prospect of playing with Fernandes will likely become a significant factor in determining Pogba’s long-term thinking.
If the pair can work well together and flourish in tandem as the season resumes, there is the likelihood of both United and Pogba being mutually willing to explore the possibility of an extension past 2022.
Despite his injury-plagued season and the ensuing financial crisis that has gripped football because of the coronavirus, negatively affecting even United’s coffers, Pogba remains one of the most sought after players in the world.
United, though, would want close to £100million for the player, a fee that is likely to be unreachable given the current climate.
It is hoped that a Pogba-Fernandes partnership could trigger off an explosive renaissance and restart for the French World Cup winner.