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Borneo Bulletin, Monday July 15, 2019
F
OOTBALL
PERTH, Australia (AFP) - Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer insisted want-away star
Paul Pogba will be a contender
for Manchester United’s captaincy
after the French World Cup winner
overcame a turbulent week and
helped a lacklustre United post a 2-0
friendly victory over Perth Glory last
Saturday.
After being linked with a move to
Real Madrid and Juventus, Pogba’s
uncertain future at Old Trafford has
overshadowed United’s pre-season
tour of Australia.
Following Antonio Valencia’s
exit, Solskjaer is looking for a new
captain and has thrown Pogba’s
name into the ring. Ashley Young
and Juan Mata skippered 45 minutes
each against Perth.
When asked if Pogba was under
consideration, the United boss
said, “Yes. We’ve got quite a few
possibilities there and when the
season starts we’ll announce it.
“Of course we’ll have a good
assessment and see how pre-season
goes.”
Anunder-pressureUnited initially
struggled against a weakened Perth
Glory, who won Australia’s A-League
Premiers Plate last season. After a
scoreless opening half, Solskjaer
changed his entire lineup and
inserted several stars, including
Pogba.
United finally cracked Perth’s
tenacious defence in the 60
th
minute
when Pogba showcased his sublime
touchwithadeft backheel to forward
Marcus Rashford, who struck it past
goalkeeper Liam Reddy.
James Garner, 18, sealed the result
with a long-range strike in the dying
stages.
Solskjaer was optimistic about
his side’s performance despite the
modest score line. “We are happy.
It was all about continuing the good
fitness work they’ve done,” he said.
“We played a very well organised
team. We did enough in the end.
It was professional work from
everyone.”
Suffering from a lack of numbers
for the friendly, Perth fielded a
youthful team including two 15-year-
olds.
Solskjaer rested most of his top
players in the first half, including
Pogba,
Rashford
and
regular
goalkeeper David de Gea.
Sublime Pogba helps
Man Utd to 2-0 victory
over Perth Glory
Manchester United’s Paul Pogba challenges for the ball with Perth Glory
players during the friendly match between the two teams
AP
PARIS (AFP) - Neymar fired another
shot in his battle with Paris
Saint-Germain (PSG) after saying
his favourite football memory
is Barcelona’s incredible 2017
remontada
or comeback win over
PSG, which Neymar helped inflict
on his current club.
Asked by online sports channel
Oh My Goal
about his best changing
room memory, the world’s most
expensiveplayerchosetheaftermath
of that win.
“We all went crazy afterwards. I
think it was the best possible feeling
for all of us,” the Brazilian star said
in the interview, which was posted
last Saturday.
Neymar was speaking in Sao
Paulo ahead of his belated return
to the club today, after insisting last
week that he had prior agreement
Neymar renews war
of words with PSG,
hailing Barcelona
‘remontada’
from PSG to stay in Brazil to help his
foundation, the Neymar Institute.
His comments are set to further
strain his relationship with the club.
He wants out of the Parc des
Princes and would prefer a return to
Barca, but is struggling to find suitors
due to the EUR222 million (USD252
million) the capital splashed out to
take him away from Barcelona two
years ago.
Brazilian football star Neymar
reacts as he plays in a ive-a-side
football tournament for his charity
Neymar Junior Project Institute
AFP