Report: Manchester United Approach Paul Pogba's Agent About Contract Extension

Manchester United have reportedly reached out to Paul Pogba's agent regarding a possible contract extension for the France midfielder. 

According to L'Equipe (h/t Football365), following a summer of incessant speculation, the Red Devils want to tie down Pogba to fresh terms. Real Madrid and Juventus were both linked with the 26-year-old in the transfer window.

In the piece, it's said that United have space on their wage budget following the departures of high-profile players like Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez. They are said to be willing to offer Pogba some of that in an attempt to secure his future at Old Trafford.

Jose Felix Diaz of Marca reported recently that Pogba remains intent on moving to Real Madrid and that the player's representative, Mino Raiola, has already informed the Red Devils the player will not extend his deal beyond 2021.

With two years left to run on his contract, United may find themselves in a challenging situation next summer should they keep Pogba without signing a new deal.

Pogba's value would be significantly reduced in a year's time if he only has a season left to run on his contract. Eden Hazard was in a similar situation in June, with Madrid negotiating an initial fee of £89 million with Chelsea for the Belgium international.

The Frenchman finds himself in a peculiar position at United. While he was seemingly keen on a move away, the Red Devils' lack of midfield options means he will remain a key player while he's at the club, as blogger Liam Canning noted:

Overall, it's been an inconsistent beginning to the 2019-20 season for the former Juventus man.

He began the campaign well against Chelsea in the 4-0 win, but he and United have struggled in the matches since. From the subsequent games against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace and Southampton, the Red Devils have picked up just two points.

This season, Pogba has been asked to play in a deeper role by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the manager favouring a 4-2-3-1 system to this point. Bleacher Report's Rob Blanchette doesn't think the position suits the player: 

Carl Anka of The Athletic said Pogba is struggling in part because of the flimsy midfield setup around him: 

Should United continue to struggle and Madrid maintain an interest in Pogba, it's difficult to envisage a scenario in which the Frenchman signs an extension in Manchester. While a new long-term deal may be lucrative, it would reduce his chances of getting a transfer.

As such, United are likely to have a difficult decision to make should a big offer arrive for Pogba in January or at the end of the season.