Utd chief Woodward 'makes peace offering to Raiola' after public war of words

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is once again talking with Paul Pogba's agent Mino Raiola, in an attempt to smooth over recent tensions and work out the star midfielder's future.

According to The Mirror, Woodward has reopened talks as a kind of peace offering, and a way to stop the agent making public attacks against the club.

Pogba reportedly also had a hand in the pair resuming dialogue, as he asked Raiola to 'be less confrontational' in his comments.

Paul Pogba has shown an interest in leaving Old Trafford since last summer, and Raiola has been looking to engineer an exit route.

In recent months, a war of words between Raiola and Manchester United has emerged. At the end of 2019, he said United is a 'problem' for Pogba, and insisted that he would not help any of the players he represents make a move to the 'out of touch' club.

'They would even ruin Maradona, Pele, and Maldini,' he said.

In January, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed that United pulled out of the race to sign Erling Haaland because of his agent Raiola.

Then, in February, the 52-year-old hinted that Pogba would be likely to leave United if they don't qualify for the Champions League next season.

Raiola's repeated comments over Pogba's future became too much for Solskjaer later that week. He hit back, saying: 'Paul is our player and not Mino's.'

However, Raiola ranted on social media the following day, writing: 'Paul is not mine and for sure not Solskjaer's property. Paul is Paul Pogba's. You cannot own a human being already for a long time in the UK or anywhere else.'

Former United player Roy Keane said later that day that they should sell Pogba because the whole affair has become too much of a distraction, and because the Frenchman 'does not want to be there.' Gary Neville added: '[Raiola] is a serious thorn in the side for them.'

Raiola later tried to calm things down by saying there is 'nothing serious going on' between him and Solskjaer, adding that 'in this moment, there are no talks [over Pogba's future].

However, a day later, Neville branded Raiola 'a leech,' to which the agent responded saying Neville is 'a big know-how' and that he could 'go screw himself.'

The repeated attacks meant Woodward took a step back from negotiations, but he now appears to be more open to discussing Pogba's future again.

Raiola has recently been linking Pogba with a move to Real Madrid, however the 27-year-old is still under contract with United until June 2021, and Solskjaer appears keen for him to stay.

The club is thought to want at least £100million for the midfielder.

Pogba has been out of action with an ankle injury, although should be fit to play again once football matches resume following the coronavirus shutdown.

He has only played seven Premier League matches this season, registering two assists and no goals.