The 10 questions Manchester United star Paul Pogba should be asked

There has been a steady wave of optimism around Paul Pogba following his appearance on the official Manchester United podcast, which was recorded last month and aired over the Easter weekend. Pogba is seemingly fit again, Bruno Fernandes has spoken glowingly about him, and he wound up Graeme Souness.

The in-house chat was similar to those daily Downing Street briefings in that the most pertinent questions were not asked, and were never going to be asked. Pogba has been inaccessible to the mainstream media over the last year and only been candid on his future outside of England, such as at the France national team camp in Clairefontaine or on a promotional appearance for Adidas in China.

United have not picked Pogba to attend a press conference since they travelled to his former club Juventus for their Champions League group tie in November 2018. Previously, Pogba spoke on the eve of United's round-of-16 first leg at Anderlecht in March 2017 and ahead of their July friendly that year with Barcelona in Washington DC.

Pogba's club-message podcast appearance reiterated that he is one of the more fascinating footballers to talk to. Pogba belatedly clarified why his comeback from an ankle injury amounted to two substitute appearances over Christmas - the timeline of Pogba's recovery had been sketchy due to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's opaque briefings.

Despite technically approaching the last year of his United contract, Pogba's future was not addressed in the podcast. It has been addressed by his agent Mino Raiola on a near-monthly basis, though, and dedicated and United supporters deserve answers to a number of questions.

1. Paul, your agent, Mino Raiola, refused to deny he offered you to Manchester City in January 2018 after revelations made by Pep Guardiola. Were you aware that you were offered to City?

2. You said last summer 'it could be a good time for a new challenge somewhere else'. Would you still like a new challenge somewhere else?

3. Your agent said last July: 'Everyone knows the willingness of Paul to move on. We are in the process of that'. Are you disappointed that the 'process' did not conclude with you moving on to a new club?

4. Was your meeting with the Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane in Dubai in October coincidental?

5. Your agent said in December: 'There was an interest from Real Madrid but they (United) didn't let him go and I'm sorry.' Are you 'sorry' United did not let you go to Real Madrid?

6. Your agent said in February: 'I think Solskjaer may be frustrated for different reasons and is now mixing up some issues. I think that Solskjaer has other things to worry about'. Did you approve of those comments about your manager?

7. In the same outburst, your agent also said: 'Solskjaer should just remember things that he said in the summer to Paul.' Would you be able to elaborate on what he said to you in the summer?

8. Your agent said in March: 'I have great hope that one day I can bring a great footballer to Real Madrid... I want to take a definitive footballer and I will try this summer'. Do you hope to be that 'great footballer' this summer?

9. Are you aware of what your agent says in advance and, if so, does he speak on your behalf?

10. You are approaching the last year of your contract with United, with the option of an extra year to tie you to the club until 2022. Do you have any intention of signing an extension?