Paul Pogba: Ralf Rangnick will play midfielder even if he wants to leave

Interim Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick says he will continue to play Paul Pogba — even if the France midfielder is only motivated by a transfer away from the club.

Pogba returned to training on Monday after injuring his thigh in November.

The 28-year-old's contract at Old Trafford runs out at in the summer and he has been linked with a move to Paris St-Germain.external-link

Rangnick says Pogba wants to show fans «what kind of player he can be».

German Rangnick added: «Even if it's for only showing up for a new contract elsewhere, I mean, he will be highly motivated to do that. Why should I then not play him?»

Rangnick hopes Pogba will be ready to play in the FA Cup fourth round tie against Middlesbrough on 4 February and said he does not know what stage the Frenchman's contract talks are at.

«By the way, my contract as a manager is also expiring in the summer,» Rangnick pointed out.

«So we have the same goal, we have the same ambition to be as successful as we can possibly be in the next three or four months.

»For me, it's not a question if a player has an expiring contract. The question is how much does he still want to be a part of this group? How much does he still feel emotionally and physically on board?"

Rangnick also addressed England winger Jadon Sancho's quiet start to life at Old Trafford, scoring just one goal in 17 games.

The 21-year-old completed a £73m move from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in July and Rangnick says he could be finding it tough in the «more physical» Premier League.

«It's more pressure,» added Rangnick.

«He also played for one of the biggest clubs in Germany, in Dortmund, but I think in total, the whole league, the whole competition is more physical and the level of expectation is higher.

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