Paul Pogba: Manchester United midfielder named in pre-season tour squad despite transfer speculation
Pogba pushing to leave this summer after admitting desire for 'new challenge'
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Your support makes all the difference.Paul Pogba has been named in Manchester United’s squad for the pre-season tour of Australia, Singapore and China.
The midfielder’s Old Trafford future is in doubt after he admitted last month his desire for a “new challenge”, with Real Madrid and Juventus interested in his services.
Whereas most United players returned to pre-season training last week, Pogba was in New York, having been granted extra holiday by manger Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
On Friday, Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola told The Times that he is “in the process” of negotiating his client’s departure, though United remain adamant he will not be sold.
And despite United’s confidence that Pogba would be part of their pre-season travelling party, Raiola refused to confirm the 26-year-old would travel.
However, United named Pogba in their 28-man tour squad on Sunday morning, ahead of their flight to Perth later that day.
Fred and Matteo Darmian are the only available first-team players not included in the squad. Both will join up later due to personal matters.
New signings Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James are named among the travelling party, as are youngsters Mason Greenwood, James Garner, Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong.
Axel Tuanzebe, who spent last season on loan at Aston Villa and recently signed a new three-year contract, is also included.
United begin their tour against Perth Glory and Leeds United in Australia, before taking on Internazionale in Singapore and Tottenham Hotspur in Shanghai.
Full squad
Goalkeepers: De Gea, Grant, Pereira, Romero.
Defenders: Bailly, Dalot, Jones, Lindelof, Marcos Rojo, Shaw, Smalling, Tuanzebe, Wan-Bissaka, Young.
Midfielders: Andreas, Chong, Garner, Gomes, James, Lingard, Matic, McTominay, Pogba, Mata.
Forwards: Greenwood, Lukaku, Martial, Rashford.
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