Manchester United legend Gary Neville has said that the Red Devils are not in a compulsion to keep hold of any player and they can afford the departure of midfielder Paul Pogba this summer. The France international was the club’s best performer last term with 16 goals and 11 assists and he has since suggested that he could pursue a fresh challenge elsewhere.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville acknowledged that United are a better team when Pogba features in the centre of the park but the club need to sort out the future of players, who are not aligned with the club’s ambition for next season, he said: “They don’t have to keep any player. Manchester United are a better team when Paul Pogba plays but if players don’t want to be at the club – that doesn’t mean Pogba, he may want to be at the club – you have to get everybody onside and aligned with where you’re going. Ultimately, that’s the first thing Ole had to do – to work out who was going to be ready for the club moving forward. I’m still unsure on many players.”

Pogba has been associated with a potential move to Real Madrid this summer and that speculation has been further fuelled with him acknowledging that he may want a fresh challenge after three years at Old Trafford. Nonetheless, he won’t come on the cheap for the 13-time European champions and they may have to pay at least £130m to convince the Red Devils into a sale.

Pogba has two years remaining on his United contract but the club have the option of extending the deal for another 12 months. As such, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side still have sufficient time to negotiate a new contract and they may not necessarily part ways with the midfielder this summer unless a transfer request is placed.