JAILHOUSE RUCK
Solskjaer hits back at Raiola following Chelsea win after agent warns Man Utd chief about treating Pogba as a ‘prisoner’
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken out after agent Mino Raiola's stunning Twitter warning about treating Paul Pogba like a "prisoner".
United midfielder Pogba continues to be linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer.
Raiola has been engaged in a war of words with the club in recent months as he looks to secure an exit from the club.
Speaking to Italian media at the weekend, Raiola again hinted that Pogba could leave United - especially with the club failing to challenge for trophies.
The agent, who also revealed he has already spoken to Juventus about a possible return to the Old Lady, said Pogba could leave as he didn't move to Old Trafford "not to challenge for the Champions League or the Premier League title."
In response, Solskjaer said he would not be bullied over the World Cup winner, saying to Raiola: "I'll decide what happens to Paul Pogba - not you."
And in a seething post on social media before United's 2-0 win over Chelsea last night, Raiola hit out again at Solskjaer and said "you cannot own a human being" and that he hopes the Norwegian is not suggesting Pogba is his "prisoner."
Raiola wrote: "Paul is not mine and for sure not Solskjaer's property, Paul is Paul Pogba's.
"You cannot own a human being already for a long time in the UK or anywhere else.
"I HOPE Solskjaer [does] NOT WANT TO SUGGEST THAT PAUL IS HIS PRISONER.
"BUT BEFORE Solskjaer makes comments about things I say he should inform himself better about the content of what has been said.
"I am a free citizen who can think and express my thoughts. Until now I was maybe nice to him.
"Solskjaer should just remember things that he said in the summer to Paul.
";I think Solskjaer may be frustrated for different and is now mixing up some issues.
"I think Solskjaer has other things to worry about.
"AT LEAST IF I WAS HIM I WOULD."
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Solskjaer was in good spirits after goals from Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire saw his side earn a controversial win at Stamford Bridge.
But questions quickly turned to the Raiola attack afterwards.
He told Sky Sports: ‘Well I don’t have to comment through the media on Mino and what he says. I can probably speak to him myself, so…’
On whether he actually would speak to him, he added bluntly: "Probably not."
The Norwegian continued: ‘You know the media and you can’t control that anyway and anyone’s got a voice and you can have your opinion.
"There’s things being said about us that you want to comment but you’d rather not and it’s more clever that you don’t comment on many different things."
The interview then appeared to be cut short by someone off camera as Solskjaer was asked if he could just speak to Pogba directly to draw a line under the shambles.
He began to answer, saying: "No, no, it’s not my area, Paul and Mino do have their conversations. They want you to stop now but it’s fine."
Solskjaer was again asked if he had a response to the agent's comments in his press conference. He said: ‘No, not at all, no comment. People can say whatever they want in the world today on social media and it makes headlines.
"I don’t really need to say anything."
Asked if Raiola’s remarks affected his side, he said: "It didn’t seem to bother any of our players or anyone, so I’m not going to comment on that, no."
Pogba, who earns £290,00 per week, has played just eight times for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side this season and is struggling through an injury-hit campaign.
He's played just 71 minutes since September but that hasn't stopped European giants courting the World Cup winner.
Raiola said at the weekend: "He never lost his smile, but clearly a great player doesn't go to Manchester United only to not challenge for the Champions League or the Premier League title.
"It would be bull for me not to admit Paul wants to stay at the highest level.
"But Pogba will first and foremost try to give his best and then we'll see at the end of the season if he ought to remain or not."
Pogba's absence hasn't stopped European giants wanting the star and Raiola said some talks have already taken place.
The agent added: "I talk to Juventus and their vice-chairman Pavel Nedved about many things, including about Pogba and other players, as is only right for a big club.
"You need to get information, see what's happening, put down a few hypotheses, dream a little.
"Along with Juventus, there are other clubs in for Paul, but right now he is with Manchester United.
"What I can say is that, just like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul considers Italy to be his second home and he wouldn't mind returning to Juventus, but we'll talk about it after Euro 2020.
"There's nothing impossible in the transfer market, that has already been proven by Juve, PSG and Real Madrid. The achievement of impossible things is part of this business."
United are prepared to sell Pogba, who has 16 months left on his contract, but are asking for a price of £150MILLION and want to do it on their terms.
Solskjaer said on Sunday: "Paul is our player and not Mino’s.
"I haven’t sat down and told Paul to tell his agent what to say. I’ve not spoken to Mino, that’s for sure."
