Another international break, another Paul Pogba interview in France once again raising the subject of his Manchester United future.
Old Trafford chiefs can set their watch by Pogba's regular dispatches from international duty these days. While he is a reticent talker when representing United, he can't stop chatting once he checks in at Clairefontaine.
It's a pattern that sums up the way Pogba has controlled the narrative on his future ever since he went public with his desire for a new challenge in 2019. United have kept hold of him since then, but he's produced only a couple of spells of truly consistent, high-level performances and throughout that time they've had to deal with the soap opera being created by Mino Raiola in the background.
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It's hard to say it's all been worth it when a world-class footballer is three months away from walking out of Old Trafford for nothing for the second time in his career. Pogba kept the possibility of staying at United on the table during his media duties with France, but also hinted that he will drag out the debate over his future until the summer.
"Nothing is decided on my future, there is nothing done," he told Telefoot. "I can decide tomorrow, as I can decide during the transfer window. I want to come back, finish the season well."
Pogba's comments about United having nothing to left play for once he returns to Carrington are probably more instructive as to where he thinks he will be, or not be, next season, but financially the offer to stay at Old Trafford might still be the best.
It's time United nipped this long-running saga in the bud, however. Pogba agitated for a move in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first summer and while he's been professional ever since, the same can't be said of his agent, who has revelled in lobbing grenades at United.
Throughout this time the club have pretty much had to dance to their tune, rather than laying down the ground rules themselves. They've needed Pogba, even with the injury issues he's had since 2019 and the constant battle to find his very top form.
If they had their time again you wonder if United would have sold that summer. The impact of the pandemic on finances at clubs across Europe made it all but impossible to sell for a reasonable fee in the years that followed, which is how we find ourselves in a position where Pogba will leave for nothing once again.
Paris St-Germain, Juventus and Real Madrid have all been mentioned as possible suitors and all three will be more likely to win the Champions League next season than United, for one pretty obvious reason. But if United manage to conclude their search for a new manager in a timely fashion, then they could yet have a say in Pogba's future themselves.
Whether it's Erik ten Hag, Mauricio Pochettino, Luis Enrique or Julen Lopetegui, the next boss will be expected to have a say in transfer policy this summer and that will include Pogba if his future is still undecided. For any of those new managers, there has to be a question mark over whether making Pogba one of the best-paid players in the squad is a good use of resources when he has just turned 29 and hasn't always produced his best form for the club.
Instead, it might be time for United to cut the cloth. The chances of Pogba staying are slim anyway, but if a new manager makes it clear that option is off the table then it could, at last, give United some control in this debate and offer the new boss an early chance to show their own authority.
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