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Solskjaer warns Pogba about Utd fan backlash

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SHANGHAI — Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned Paul Pogba he may face a backlash from some fans after suggesting he wants leave the club this summer but has backed the midfielder to win them over.

Pogba has said he wants a “new challenge” after three years at Old Trafford and Solskjaer has told the France international he may face a small but loud group of boo-boys once the season starts.

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“I think our fans know what Paul has given the club and what he can give us,” Solskjaer said. Of course there is a small, loud, minority. Paul has been absolutely top in the group.

“Both me and the players will testify to that. He’s never ever been a problem here. We’re just grateful when he performs as well as he does.”

Pogba’s future is one issue that is still up in the air with less than two weeks to go before the transfer deadline.

Romelu Lukaku‘s potential move to Inter Milan is another, while Solskjaer is also trying to bring in more new signings after splashing £65m on Dan James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Talks are ongoing with Leicester over a deal for Harry Maguire and there remains interest in Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff.

The key stumbling block has been Leicester’s £90m asking price for Maguire and Newcastle’s £50 million valuation of Longstaff but even though time is running out, Solskjaer hinted he is not ready to move to other targets.

“It will take time for any player to adjust to Man United,” he said. “I’m very happy with the two we’ve brought in. We’ve got to be patient because it’s a long haul and it’s very important to get right ones in. We can’t just jump on a different path when you hit a hurdle. I’ve not had a frustrating feeling at all.”

United end their tour of Australia and the Far East with a game against Tottenham in Shanghai on Thursday.

Victor Lindelof is fit after limping off against Inter Milan in Singapore but Romelu Lukaku will again miss out after failing to recover from an ankle knock.

Victory for Solskjaer’s side against their Premier League rivals Spurs would make it four wins out of four on tour and the Norwegian says what he has seen during preseason has given him confidence for the new campaign — even if there are no new arrivals.

“I believe in these players and I’m sure that we could do well,” Solskjaer said. “It’s both short term and long term. When we’re working on something it means we’ve identified something that could improve us. If it’s to be or not to be, let’s see.

“We’ve performed well and we’ve had some good performances and the whole preseason has been encouraging but it’s not about winning games in preseason, it’s about finding a way we want to play and getting to the start line in the best shape possible.”

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