Manchester United Transfer News: Paul Pogba Delivers Major Snub, Latest Rumours

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is arguably Europe's most in-demand player right now, but he has "bigger and better options" than returning to Manchester United.

This is according to "a source close to Pogba," cited by Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star: "He's aware of United's interest in him, but he has no desire to go back there. He is happy at Juventus, but if he does decide to leave them, he has bigger and better options than United. He won't be playing for them again."

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Pogba has been consistently linked with a return to Old Trafford after leaving the club in frustrating circumstances back in 2012. Since barely being afforded a run in the first team by former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, the Frenchman has established himself as one of the continent's best young players in Turin.

Indeed, B/R UK's Ryan Bailey and Jonathan Johnson recently discussed whether he could become the sport's first £100 million player:

Cross' source suggests that if this is to happen, such an exchange of cash won't see him rock up at the Theatre of Dreams. Although this is yet to be verified, with teams such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea supposedly courting the 21-year-old, one has to wonder how a transitional United side could lure him back.

Pogba doesn't possess hard feelings toward the club and recently told FourFourTwo that he retains a passion for them (h/t Charles Perrin of the Express):

"

I’m impatient. It was the feeling that I had. [Sir Alex Ferguson] had faith in me, but he didn’t put me on. He said that I was too young. He said: 'Your time will come.' It didn’t come. But it doesn’t mean I will speak ill of Manchester United. I love the club.

"

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Louis van Gaal desperately needs a midfielder of Pogba's ilk. He is a tremendously well-rounded star—particularly for a youngster—whose energetic style ensures he contributes to all phases of play.

He has scored seven goals this season, laying on four assists and averaging 2.4 tackles per game, recorded by WhoScored.com. He is dominant in the air, able to stride forward with the ball and becoming increasingly disciplined as he continues to mature. Pogba can keep things moving, break up play and net outrageous goals, highlighted below:

WhoScored underlined Pogba's quality performance during Juve's recent Champions League round-of-16 first-leg win over Borussia Dortmund:

United currently lack a leader through the centre. Michael Carrick is immensely important to the side but continues to struggle with injuries.

While Daley Blind works hard, he isn't the most assertive and doesn't have the natural physicality to dominate in the same vein as Premier League stars such as Yaya Toure, Nemanja Matic and Morgan Schneiderlin. The underused Ander Herrera offers industry and craft, but he also lacks the bulk to shield a shaky defence.

A defence which, according to the Daily Mirror (h/t Ben Jefferson of the Express), could be bolstered by Southampton full-back Nathaniel Clyne at the end of the season. Jefferson suggests that United are "planning their summer swoop" after Clyne reportedly "refused to sign a new deal at St. Mary's."

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He would be a quality addition, someone who can be considered among the Premier League's best right-backs after another excellent campaign. Still, as they hunt to return to their former glory, United will be looking for star names such as Pogba to make the headlines during a flurry of activity in the summer.

It's likely he will never return, but supporters will undoubtedly hope a sense of unfinished business lingers over him.