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Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri said on Saturday he was a fan of Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba as he refused to rule out a move for the Frenchman.
Pogba's agent recently told The Times that the 26-year-old intends to leave the Premier League club, while the player said in Tokyo last month he could seek a new challenge elsewhere amid reports linking him to Juventus and Real Madrid.
"I like very much the player but I don't know the situation. I am not the technical director," Sarri told reporters in Singapore ahead of Juventus' International Champions Cup match against Tottenham.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said this week he wants to build his team around Pogba, describing the World Cup winner as a "fantastic human being" and "great professional".
Pogba, who joined United from Juventus in 2016, has blown hot and cold in his second stint at the club despite scoring 31 goals in 142 appearances.
How will Manchester United line up with Harry Maguire?Show all 12 1 /12How will Manchester United line up with Harry Maguire? How will Manchester United line up with Harry Maguire? How could Manchester United line up for 2019/20 season? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has overseen a summer rebuild at Manchester United, with Harry Maguire becoming his latest recruit.
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How will Manchester United line up with Harry Maguire? David de Gea Arguably United’s most important player, yet De Gea suffered from indifferent spells of form last season and will enter the new campaign amid uncertainty over his future. Not expected to leave this summer despite his contract expiring next summer.
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How will Manchester United line up with Harry Maguire? Aaron Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka fills a problem position following his £50m transfer from Crystal Palace. The 21-year-old’s arrival represents a shift towards a more long-term approach in the market.
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How will Manchester United line up with Harry Maguire? Victor Lindelof Enjoyed something of a renaissance last season. Easily the most consistent and impressive of United’s centre-halves, he is the only one whose starting place is safe from the threat of new arrivals in defence.
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How will Manchester United line up with Harry Maguire? Harry Maguire Coveted by Jose Mourinho last summer, Maguire has finally completed the switch to Old Trafford and become the world's most expensive defender.
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How will Manchester United line up with Harry Maguire? Luke Shaw Began last season on the fringes of the squad, ended as United’s player of the year. The best of a bad bunch? Maybe. But Shaw deserves credit for turning his Old Trafford career around and becoming the undisputed first-choice left back.
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How will Manchester United line up with Harry Maguire? Scott McTominay Emerged as a consistent and reliable presence in the second half of last season, which is more than can be said for several of his midfield colleagues. Questions remain but deserves an opportunity to fully establish himself.
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How will Manchester United line up with Harry Maguire? Sean Longstaff A surprising name but another young, homegrown target that has caught Solskjaer’s eye. Longstaff is in no rush to leave his boyhood club Newcastle United, having only broke into the side at Christmas, and £50m asking price may prove too steep.
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How will Manchester United line up with Harry Maguire? Paul Pogba Despite agitating for a move away, Pogba appears set to stay at United. The club are determined to keep their prize asset and will not sanction a move unless his high asking price is met.
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How will Manchester United line up with Harry Maguire? Daniel James Capable of playing on either the left or right wing, James is a largely unproven but nevertheless exciting talent. Glimpses of his potential were seen in pre-season.
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How will Manchester United line up with Harry Maguire? Anthony Martial Provided glimpses of his talent and potential, particularly following Solskjaer’s appointment, but tailed off worryingly once his future was settled with a new contract at the end of January. Appears well suited to this new-look United but must deliver consistently.
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How will Manchester United line up with Harry Maguire? Marcus Rashford It became clear early on in Solskjaer’s reign that Rashford was his preferred option up front. The academy graduate repaid him with six goals in 10 games but his form quickly faltered. A first 20-goal season may be required.
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United take on Inter Milan at the national stadium in Singapore on Saturday.
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