‘That’s crazy’ – Paul Pogba questions Man Utd decision to let go of ‘great player’

Paul Pogba says he is ‘happy’ to see Marcus Rashford join Barcelona on loan, but believes Manchester United are losing a ‘great player’ this summer.

There has been uncertainty over Rashford’s future ever since the forward returned from a six-month loan spell with Aston Villa, in which he racked up four goals and six assists in 17 appearances.

But the Red Devils gave Rashford permission to travel to Catalonia at the weekend and the 27-year-old is expected to join the La Liga champions on a temporary basis over the coming days.

The England international is hoping to join up with Hansi Flick’s squad on Thursday to ensure he can play a role in the club’s pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea.

It’s understood Rashford has accepted a major salary reduction at the Camp Nou, with the winger set to earn around £8.6million gross, including bonuses – a significant drop on his £16.9m-per-year wages at Old Trafford.

Barca’s deal for Rashford will include an option to sign the attacker outright when his 12-month loan comes to an end.

It’s just the latest chapter in what has been a turbulent few years for the United academy graduate, who joined the club at the age of just seven before becoming a household name with his boyhood team.

Though somewhat surprised by the move, Pogba is pleased for Rashford and hopes to see his former team-mate hit the ground running in Spanish football.

‘That’s crazy. I’m happy for him because they took his number out,’ the ex-United and France midfielder said during conversation with social media star iShowSpeed.

‘Manchester United are losing a great player… it’s great for Barcelona to be honest.’

Pogba doesn’t blame Ruben Amorim for the way in which the situation has developed feels the United head coach is entitled to ditch players if he ‘doesn’t believe in’ such as Rashford.

‘I’m not even talking about Manchester United because they’ve bought a few players and the new manager wants to do his thing, I guess,’ Pogba, who joined Monaco this summer, added.

‘It’s not really his [Amorim’s] fault. If he doesn’t believe in someone… you need to win at the end.

‘If he doesn’t play well, if he doesn’t win, they’re going to sack him. But I’m happy for Marcus.’

On his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand speculated that details surrounding Rashford’s situation would ‘come out in the wash at some point’ in the future.

‘There must have been so much going on behind the scenes that we’re just not aware of,’ the legendary ex-United and England centre-back said.

‘And Marcus isn’t someone who really wants to talk and do interviews, so you have to respect that.

‘But I’m sure it’ll come out in the wash at some point. Is it because of a lack of form? A lack of confidence? Mismanagement? Have the club failed him?

‘Or is it down to him? Is there injuries we don’t know about? Has he lost that desire? That form is gone and he can’t rekindle it and can’t get it back?

‘What are the issues that have led to a young kid that’s a graduate of the academy at Manchester United, which is famous for all of the great players that have come through there, that he says he wants to leave?’

Barcelona have agreed to pay all of Rashford’s £315,000-a-week wages during his loan move.

The winger’s current contract at the Theatre of Dreams runs until the summer of 2028.