Paul Pogba refused to discuss his future after playing in Manchester United’s opening tour victory in Perth – as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed that he is considering making the Frenchman his new captain.
‘There’s no need – who needs to talk?’ Pogba told reporters as he left the ground.
The United boss is weighing up the candidates to replace Antonio Valencia as captain following his departure this summer. Ashley Young captained the team in Valencia’s prolonged absence last season and in Saturday’s game in Perth, but he is set to have fewer starts this term.
Asked if Pogba is being considered, Solskjaer replied: ‘Yeah. I don't think that needs explaining, we'll discuss that later on.
‘It hasn't (been decided), so we've got quite a few possibilities there and when the season starts we'll announce it. Of course, we'll have a good assessment and see how pre-season goes. But, as you saw, Ashley will wear it when he's playing until we decide on someone.’
Solskjaer confirmed that Pogba was set to be replaced less than 40 minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute in Perth because he missed the opening week’s pre-season training at Carrington, but Luke Shaw had to come off instead
‘To be fair, he's not trained as much as the other lads,’ added the United manager. ‘We were going to put Jimmy (James Garner) on and then put Paul on. It wasn't like he had to run all over the pitch, he played it out well.
‘He (Shaw) felt his hamstring being a little bit tight, so there was no point taking any more risks. After he made a signal that he wanted to come off, he still kept on running so it’s not a bad one but we did it as a precaution.’
Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka made their first appearances for United in a 2-0 win at the Optus Stadium, but there are concerns over how many more players United will sign before the transfer window closes in less than a month.
‘I think you need to speak to Ed (Woodward) or others,’ he said. ‘At the moment I can't give you any updates, no. Timing is obviously an issue but we're working. Of course, we're optimistic.
‘Both the new lads did well, Dan and Aaron. You had Mason (Greenwood), Angel (Gomes), Jimmy (Garner), the young lads, Chongy (Tahith Chong) also showed they can make it as a Man United player.
‘The more experienced ones did a job because we got 45 minutes out of most and was a professional workout from everyone.
‘It was all about continuing the good work they've done – work and run when you're on the pitch and try a couple of things of course. We played against a very well organised team which made it difficult for us to create too many chances but we did enough in the end.’