Mino Raiola says Manchester United’s Paul Pogba must be ‘left alone’ and promises to work ‘in the shadows’

Raiola has previously claimed the midfielder will depart Old Trafford in the summer

Man United’s Paul Pogba (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Paul Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola opted against speaking on the future of the Manchester United midfielder, suggesting the the French World Cup-winner suffers when Raiola himself offers an opinion.

Back in December, the United man was said to be “unhappy” by his agent, who added that the “best solution” was to move on this coming summer.

Pogba himself replied later that week that he was fully committed to the United cause and he has since shown his best form, playing a key role in a winning run of games which sent the Red Devils second in the Premier League - though he has since picked up an injury which will keep him out for a few weeks.

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Raiola was asked by Tuttomercatoweb about the future of Pogba again, amid expectations that he could return to Italy - but the often-outspoken agent was reserved in his comments, claiming he usually preferred to carry out his duties behind the scenes due to the impact he feels he could have on fluctuating valuations of players.

“I respect a discourse on discretion that applies to everyone, without exception. I have always worked in the shadows, with discretion on this sort of thing, because certain speculations risk destabilising the state of things,” he said.

“When I speak and say my opinion on certain things, the shares of the stock market splash up and down, going mad.

“Pogba must also be left alone. When I speak people get nervous, he doesn’t sleep at night, so I don’t speak anymore.

“I will do what I have to do not in front of you, but in the shadows, as I always have.”

Raiola offered similar responses when asked about Milan-based clients Gianluigi Donnarumma, goalkeeper with AC Milan, and Inter centre-back Stefan de Vrij, saying they must be “left in peace” and that “everything else is done without cameras, without journalists, in the offices.”

Pogba’s contract runs until 2022 and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently suggested the club have an “open dialogue” with the player about a possible extension.