Pogba named in Man Utd pre-season tour squad amid exit rumours

Tom Maston

Pogba named in Man Utd pre-season tour squad amid exit rumours image

Paul Pogba has been named in Manchester United's squad for their pre-season tour despite the midfielder eyeing a move away from Old Trafford.

The France international has spoken of his desire to depart the Red Devils this summer while his agent Mino Raiola has revealed they are in the process of securing his departure.

But Pogba will now travel to Australia, China and Singapore with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad when they fly out of England on Sunday afternoon.

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Reports had suggested that Pogba may go AWOL to avoid having to catch the flight and further increase his chances of being allowed to leave.

But United's stance has always been that he will retain their player heading into the 2019-20 campaign, despite the 26-year-old emerging as a top target for Real Madrid and former club Juventus.

Pogba is joined in the squad by Romelu Lukaku, who himself has been at the centre of transfer rumours since the end of last season.

The Belgium international continues to be linked with a move to Inter while fellow Serie A sides Juventus and Napoli have reportedly emerged as other possible destinations for the former Everton striker.

Fred and Matteo Darmian are the two most senior players missing from the 28-man roster, with the duo set to join up with the squad at a later date due to personal reasons.

Alexis Sanchez is also missing, though the forward was never set to be part of the group due to his participation in the Copa America with Chile.

Dean Henderson and Timothy Fosu-Mensah have also been left behind amid reports that they could again be loaned out in the coming weeks.

New signings Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James will likely be in the spotlight - along with Pogba and Lukaku - when United begin their pre-season campaign against Perth Glory on July 13.

They will remain in Western Australia to take on Leeds United before travelling to Singapore for a clash with Inter.

The tour finishes with a meeting with Tottenham in Shanghai before the 20-time English champions return to Europe for games against Kristiansund and AC Milan ahead of their Premier League opener against Chelsea on August 11.

Tom Maston