Ralf Rangnick must replicate strong Paul Pogba stance with Manchester United teammate

Ralf Rangnick stood on dangerous ground when he suggested Paul Pogba might use game time as an opportunity to put himself in the shop window for Manchester United.

Given the back and forth regarding Pogba and constant speculation over his future, that particular tact was not a surprise, but declaring so in public gaze really did raise eyebrows.

No matter your stance on Pogba - or his agent Mino Raiola for that matter - the player is within his rights to pursue other avenues and keep his options open.

After all, talk over a would-be departure has not simply surfaced in the final months of his contract.

This matter has been creeping up on United for quite some time - as it has with Jesse Lingard - but as those respective situations continue to be dealt with bizarrely, they do so for different reasons.

United are gearing up to lose Pogba on a free transfer for the second time.

A decade on from his first switch to Juventus, the Italian giants are 'circling' once again, while PSG and Real Madrid represent alternative destinations for a player who divides opinion like no other at Old Trafford. It wouldn't be wide of the mark to suggest he has not peaked during his second coming at United, but Rangnick - like those before him - knows exactly what Pogba is capable of conjuring.

His short-term value for a top-four battle was deemed more worthy than offering desired opportunities to Donny van de Beek for example as he, instead, prepares to spend the rest of this season at Everton.

Rangnick and United will be justified in their stance if Champions League qualification is secured - more so if Pogba proves the telling difference in that respect.

Under normal circumstances, the World Cup winner would not have been granted