Manchester City have left the way open for Manchester United to pursue Paul Pogba after deciding not to go after the France international as part of a summer of extensive transfer recruitment preparing for Pep Guardiola’s first season in charge.
United are now weighing up whether to turn their long-standing interest in bringing Pogba back to Old Trafford into an official offer to Juventus.
José Mourinho, the club’s new manager, is another long-term admirer of the Frenchman, having tried before to sign him for Chelsea last year, and Pogba’s name has featured prominently during his discussions with the United executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward.