Manchester United target Premier League replacement for Paul Pogba

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing up a move for Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina this summer, a man who could be the ideal replacement for Paul Pogba if the Frenchman were to leave.

Perhaps the word “when” would be more appropriate for the previous sentence. It seems more and more likely each day that the Frenchman will leave the club, despite the fact he has travelled on tour to Australia with the rest of his United colleagues.

It was in June that Pogba made it abundantly clear he wanted to move on. Some may argue he has never ever been in it for the long-haul since he arrived back in 2016, but Pogba spoke out publically last month and for many fans, it was the final straw.

"“For me, I have been for three years in Manchester and have been doing great; some good moments and some bad moments, like everybody. Like everywhere else.“After this season and everything that happened this season, with my season being my best season as well I think for me it could be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else.“I am thinking of this: to have a new challenge somewhere else.” [Evening Standard]"

Just as things started to die down again, Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, fanned the flames some more. He claimed when speaking to The Times that a move away from Old Trafford is, “in the process”.

Who can replace Paul Pogba?

The short answer is, not many. Pogba has ability like few others. He’s capable of receiving the ball in the tightest of areas, wriggling out before raking a 60-yard ball across the pitch. /

But it looks as though Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have to scan the transfer market in order to find a replacement with similar technical and physical attributes.

Bruno Fernandes is a name that has been linked heavily to United – he is a player whose natural ability is certainly up there with the best in the world in his position.

Southampton’s Mario Lemina is another player who has more recently been talked about. Sky Sports News understand the club have made an enquiry about the midfielder.

The Gabonese international is more in tune with Pogba’s physical attributes standing at six-feet tall and approaching his 26th birthday.

Lemina, also once of Juventus, joined the Saints in August 2017 and impressed in his early days in the Premier League. However, an ankle injury only a few months into his first season halted his progress and he was never able to nail down a regular starting spot after. /

Despite this he made 52 appearances for Southampton in two years and has recently been left out of their preseason squad to Austria.

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If would make sense for United to pursue Lemina. The 26-year old has shown he possesses the power, speed and skill similar to that of Pogba. Perhaps not to the same standard or consistency, but much like all of United’s signings so far this window, they see potential.