Manchester United are still planning for Paul Pogba to leave in the summer as he approaches the last four months of his contract.
Pogba, 28, returned from a three-month absence with a thigh injury at the start of February and has impressed, scoring his first goal of the season against Burnley and providing his first Premier League assist since September in the 2-0 win over Brighton.
Sources close to Pogba say there is still no inclination for the midfielder to commit to United at the 11th hour and his situation remains unchanged, despite a positive start under interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
Pogba and Rangnick held productive discussions prior to his return against Middlesbrough on February 4 and the France international is believed to be more upbeat at United.
Pogba was piqued by previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's decision to send him on as a half-time substitute in the 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool, who were 4-0 up at the interval. Pogba was shown a straight red card in the 60th minute and his next league start was at Burnley last week.
The rapport between Pogba and the matchgoers is warmer since Pogba's return and he was enthusiastically applauded as he approached the tunnel after the defeat of Brighton.
United have not broached the topic of discussing a new contract with Pogba or his representatives and are already planning to recruit a midfielder in the summer.
United would have to play in the Champions League next season to have any realistic chance of retaining Pogba and currently occupy the final qualifying spot in the Premier League, although their rivals have games in hand.
Even if United finished in the top four, they are in danger of going a fifth successive trophyless season and Pogba turns 29 next month. His next deal would likely be the last competitive contract in his career.
Lifestyle choice is also critical to Pogba's decision as his eldest son, Labile Shakur, is due to start school next year and his wife Zulay works in design in Cheshire.
Pogba's agent, Mino Raiola, offered the player to Manchester City in January 2018 and Pogba said in the summer of 2019 it was 'time for a new challenge'. Raiola admitted later that year he was 'sorry' not to have engineered a transfer to Real Madrid.
In December 2020, Raiola claimed it was 'over' for Pogba at United and outlined his intention to broker a transfer at the end of the season.
