Real Madrid and Inter Milan Have Their Eye on Manchester United Midfielders

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba remains high in demand on Real Madrid’s player list. Liverpool icon Steve Nicol recently acknowledged that Real Madrid believed they could sign Pogba from Manchester United at a lower fee.

The player was linked to a Manchester United transfer in this year’s summer transfer period. However, in spite of Real Madrid’s head coach Zidane’s wish to sign up Pogba, the player has not budged from his team.

Paul Pogba is a 26 year old Frenchman who plays for the French national team too. He’s a central midfielder but can also play positions such as defensive midfielder, deep-lying playmaker, and attacking midfielder. Pogba was born in Lagny-sur-Marne and developed a passion for the game at a young age. He fared well back then while playing for the local teams.

As he got older, he joined teams Le Havre and Ligue. As a result of a protracted transfer, he subsequently joined forces with United, the pride of Old Trafford. Pogba later started playing for Juventus, an Italian team, due to a free transfer in 2012. He played a significant role in them winning a number of Serie A side titles. He also played a role in the team winning Supercoppa Italiana and Copper Italia titles.

It was during his stay at Juventus that he made a name for himself as one of the most promising and impressive players around the globe. He received awards namely the Bravo award and the Golden Boy award. Pogba also received a mention in the 2015 UEFA team of the year, as well as the 2015 FIFA FIFPro World XI.

The player’s outstanding performances with Juventus led to him returning to United. This occurred in 2016 at a transfer fee of €105 million, a world record fee offered by an English football club. In the first season since he rejoined Manchester United, he helped them gain the victory in the Europa League and the League Cup.

The football star also lead the French national team to take the FIFA under 20 World Cup in 2013. He also played for France in the 2016 UEFA Euro Cup, as well as the FIFA World Cup in 2018.

Pogba has been down recently, sidelined with an injury. Liverpool icon Nicol thinks that this gives Madrid the impression that they can present Pogba with a lower offer. Nicol dismissed Madrid’s stance that United would just let Pogba go, noting that United needed players, and that it was not in their best interest to let star players go.

On a similar note, Nemanja Matic, United’s midfielder, has been linked to transfer to Inter Milan, although Liverpool’s Nicol thinks it’s unlikely for the Serie A side. Matic was born in 1988 in Serbia and plays for the Serbian national team too. He commenced his football career as an attacking midfielder, and moved to a defensive midfielder position when he did a stint for Benfica.

Matic has a combative tactic when playing and commenced his senior football career at Kolubara. He had subsequently transferred to Chelsea in 2009 for £1.5 million before transferring back to Benfica. This occurred due to a swap deal that included David Luiz. He received a mention when Benfica won the PFA Team of the Year award for the 2014-15 season. He then returned to Chelsea in 2014 for £21 million. In 2017 he signed for United.

Matic made his league debut for United in 2017 when United scored 4-0 against West Ham United. He was then named Man of the Match. In the 2018-19 Premier League, he claimed his first season goal, which was a second one for United. United had won 3-1 against Huddersfield Town.

On a global level, Matic made his senior debut in 2008 for Serbia and has an excess of 40 caps under his belt. He also formed part of Serbia’s team in the FIFA World Cup in 2018. Liverpool legend Nicol, went on to say that Matic was not able to get a game for United at the moment, and that if Inter Milan just wanted an experienced dependable body to expand their squad, then it made sense. If not, there was no point.