What does Man Utd's January dealings tell us about Pogba's future at the club?

Stefan Bienkowski

• 1 Feb 2022 15:28 CST
• 7 min read

In the end, Manchester United surprised the world of football by approaching the January transfer window with the relatively novel idea of doing absolutely nothing at all.

Often famed for their ability to flash cash and sign big stars in the transfer market, many suspected Man Utd and their new manager Ralf Rangnick would rip up their team sheet and begin again from scratch with the turn of the year.

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However, instead, we saw a very careful and surgically precise Old Trafford side move their pawns with the utmost delicacy. Which may give some indication as to what Man Utd have planned in the summer transfer window with some of their biggest stars.

Man Utd’s January transfer strategy

If there was one, common theme that ran through Man Utd’s dealings in the January window it was the club’s efforts to move on players that weren’t part of Rangnick’s immediate plans.

Anthony Martial, a player that has long demanded game time or a move elsewhere, finally had his wish granted with a loan deal to Sevilla. It seems likely that the France international will make the move permanent in the summer.

Similarly, Donny van de Beek finally got a move elsewhere for game time, joining Frank Lampard’s Everton side in a similar move to Martial’s. He too seems unlikely to have played a part in Rangnick’s plans in the second half of the season.

What does that mean for Pogba in the summer?

It’s with that in mind that Paul Pogba’s continued role in the Man Utd team certainly suggests that the club may still have a role for the midfielder.

Recent reports have suggested that Rangnick’s training and tactics have turned the player’s head back towards staying put at Old Trafford and it certainly seems as though he would have been promptly sold or loaned out in January if the German manager didn’t want him in his team.

As such, it seems likely that the France international will remain a starter for Man Utd and could end up being convinced to stay put if Rangnick has his way.