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It has been claimed by Spanish media outlet AS that Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has decided he wants to leave Old Trafford in the summer transfer window.

What's the word, then?

The France international has told his agent, the controversial Mino Raiola, and he's already started the search for a new club for his client with suggestions that Real Madrid and Juventus could be on the table, per the original report.

The news will send shockwaves throughout the footballing world after the mass speculation over the player's future faded away following the departure of Jose Mourinho from the Red Devils.

Seemingly happy under interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Pogba, in his third season at Man United, has scored 14 goals and notched 11 assists in all competitions in 2018/2019, a large portion of them coming since December, but now he is reportedly seeking a new challenge.

United must do everything in their power to stop this

There can be little doubt what United must do if these rumours are to be believed, everything in their power to stop Pogba from leaving.

The 26-year-old has been the poster boy of the Solskjaer revival as the Red Devils have defied the odds to work their way back into the Premier League top five.

The Norwegian already looks set to be installed as the permanent boss at Old Trafford and it will feel like all of his hard work has been undone if this departure occurs.

Pogba has been absolutely pivotal to the turnaround in fortunes and one can certainly question whether it would have happened to such a degree in the first place, without him.

At 26, he should be approaching the prime years of his career and losing him to a big European rival at this stage would be simply unforgivable, and Solskjaer ultimately needs to prove his worth for the second time by keeping the World Cup winner at Old Trafford.

Assuming the speculation about the caretaker manager is true the club can get back where they used to be soon, challenging for Premier League titles on a regular basis. However, it simply can't and won't happen if Pogba is not a red beyond the summer.