Manchester United star Paul Pogba has been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford ahead of the summer transfer window.
Pogba publicly expressed a desire to leave United a year ago, admitting that he felt the time was right to pursue a new challenge elsewhere.
Yet, 12 months on, uncertainty surrounding his future is continuing to rumble on.
United themselves haven’t entered contract talks with Pogba, in a clear sign that he could be destined to leave the Theatre of Dreams.
But Schmeichel believes that, after holding discussions with people, the 27-year-old wants to stay and prove a point.
“I’m absolutely convinced he wants to stay,” he said.
"I think we’ll see somebody, more of the player we saw a year ago.”
When quizzed on why he thought Pogba was destined to stay, Schmeichel added: “I just know, you speak to the right people.
“One thing is how he’s portrayed in the media for how what he does and what he says himself, and another thing is what his agent is doing.
“And a completely different thing is what it’s really like.
“He wanted to come back to Manchester United, he wanted to come back. And he has got, like any other player at that level in the world, he’s got his pride.
“And I don’t think he wants to leave. I don’t think so.”
Schmeichel also suggested that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be key to Pogba staying at the club, insisting the Norwegian knows how to coax the best from the 2018 World Cup winner.
“I think when Ole came, we straight away saw with Ole’s guidance and his knowledge with Paul, we saw precisely what he can give us. And that’s a lot,” he said.
“Unfortunately I don’t think he’s gotten great representation.
“He’s such a valuable asset so it’s great to shift him to another club, because that’s a lot of money to make.
“I think that if you have somebody telling you that in your ear at some point you’re bound to be confused. You’re a young player.
“All he should be content and focused on is playing.
“I hope with this period of being out of the game, I hope that with Ole’s management skills, he’s going to come back and love playing for Manchester United.”
On Friday night, United lock horns with Tottenham in north London.
Pogba will get the chance to go up against old boss Jose Mourinho, who he had a strained relationship during the Portuguese’s spell at Old Trafford.
But Schmeichel hopes that it won’t play on the midfielder’s mind in the match itself.
“I hope not,” he said.
"I hope that never plays on his mind. That shouldn’t be important, that can’t be important. He should be extra motivated every game, every day in training.
“The stature that Paul Pogba has in world football - he’s someone who people look up to. They see him, they hear everything he says.
“I think the most important thing he can do in his life and in his career is to be 100 per cent motivated every time he puts that red shirt on.
“I think that’s his obligation. And I’m sure he will be that.
“There is a lot of history between players across the Premier League and it’s quite easy to find a story like that, for every game really.
“At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter.”
0 Comments