Paul Pogba finally confirmed his desire to leave Manchester United for a new challenge on Sunday, a revelation that will likely split the club s supporters.

While few would doubt Pogba s ability, the last three seasons since his return from Juventus have been anything but smooth.

Pogba has struggled for consistency in a United team that has so often been crying out for his creativity, while the soap opera around his turbulent relationship with Jose Mourinho before the Portuguese manager s December sacking became a distracting sideshow.

Although Pogba s form did initially improve after Mourinho left, the dominant performances soon dried up again – a haul of 13 goals (seven from the spot) and nine assists in the Premier League exaggerating his influence.

…

Barcelona president Joan Laporta concedes his side s premature Champions League exit is a shame but was philosophical about their young project under Xavi.

The Blaugrana were officially eliminated and consigned to the Europa League following Inter s 4-0 win over Viktoria Plzen earlier on Wednesday, before producing a limp home display in a 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich.

Barcelona have been condemned to a group-stage exit for the second straight season, while that comes almost 12 months since Xavi s appointment to replace Ronald Koeman.

The five-time Champions League winners spent significantly in Xavi s first off-season at the helm, bringing in Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, Hector Bellerin, Franck Kessie, Marcos Alonso and Raphinha.

B…

Paul Pogba is not satisfied with how Manchester United have performed over the past five seasons and says he does not feel as though he has a role at Old Trafford.

France international Pogba returned to United in 2016 for a then-record transfer fee of £89million (€105m) following four trophy-laden campaigns with Juventus.

Pogba has had far less success on the trophy front at United, having won only the EFL Cup and Europa League – both of those coming under Jose Mourinho in 2016-17.

The 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of the campaign and is widely expected to depart on a free transfer, with Juve and Barcelona among the clubs reportedly interested.

With United out of each cup competition this term and battling for a fourth-placed finish in th…

Surprise Bundesliga leaders RB Leipzig only exist to increase profits for Red Bull, Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has said.

A 2-1 win over Schalke last week prolonged Leipzig s unbeaten start to their first season in the Bundesliga and gave them a three-point advantage at the top of the table over Bayern Munich.

The club were only formed in 2009 as a successor entity to SSV Markranstadt but have soared through the levels of German football thanks to significant financial backing from Red Bull.

That level of investment, combined with a lack of control from fan members compared to other Bundesliga sides and the prevalence of the drinks giants branding throughout the club, has caused resentment within much of German football.

Although Watzke admi…

Tammy Abraham scored his 10th Premier League goal for Chelsea as they secured a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The 22-year-old striker became the youngest Blues player to reach double figures in the Premier League since Arjen Robben when he swept home following a clever Willian pass.

Chelsea had found clear-cut chances hard to come by against a stubborn Palace side, whose manager Roy Hodgson was taking charge of his 300th game in England s top flight.

Abraham s cool finish broke the deadlock, though, before a simple header from Christian Pulisic made certain of a sixth league win in a row for Frank Lampard s side.

24y 88d With an average age of 24 years and 88 days, Chelsea have named their youngest ever starting XI in the Pr…

Love is in the air after Barcelona s epic Champions League comeback, with Gerard Pique warning hospitals to hire more midwives for nine months time as fans celebrate mission impossible.

Barca sensationally overturned a 4-0 deficit, claiming a last-gasp 6-1 win in Wednesday s return leg to trump Paris Saint-Germain 6-5 on aggregate.

Leading 3-1 on the night but needing three more goals to advance to the quarter-finals, Barca completed the comebacks of all comebacks from the 88th minute as Neymar converted a free-kick and a 91st-minute penalty before unlikely hero Sergi Roberto sparked pandemonium on the pitch and in the stands in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

And centre-back Pique believes many overjoyed fans will take their celebrations to the bedroom.

…

Already on the return flight, the head was to Napoli and to the things that the coach will tell us to prepare this challenge in the best possible way, because it will be very important, Martinez told reporters.

I ve been here for almost five years and I definitely feel important. I took responsibility in the locker room and I always try to help someone who needs a hand, even young players, because that s how groups are created.

When asked if Inter were still in the Scudetto race, he added: Yes, I believe in everything. The first part [of the season] is not even over yet – even if we have lost important points – and we know it.

While Inter are Martinez s immediate future, he also emphasised the importance of Argentina continuing to pursue further silverwar…

Jordan Rhodes came off the bench to score a late equaliser as Norwich City drew 1-1 at West Brom, while Sheffield United moved into the Championship s top two.

Dwight Gayle s first-half goal – his 14th of the season looked like it would send West Brom above Norwich in the table, but Rhodes equalised seven minutes from time.

That meant Sheffield United climbed into second spot behind leaders Leeds United after beating QPR 1-0 at Bramall Lane, their fourth straight league win.

Middlesbrough kept up the pressure on the four teams above them with a 2-1 victory at Birmingham City, while bottom-of-the-table Ipswich Town recorded only their third win of the campaign, defeating Rotherham United 1-0.
 

RHODES SAVES NORWICH

Norwich are now without a w…

Inter chief Giuseppe Marotta is very optimistic Diego Godin will join the Nerazzurri from Atletico Madrid when his contract expires in June.

Uruguay defender Godin is into the final months of his contract at Atleti, where he has played since signing from Villarreal in 2010, winning the LaLiga title in 2013-14 and twice reaching the Champions League final.

The 33-year-old has consistently been linked with Inter in recent months and Marotta has not been shy in talking up a potential move.

And the Inter CEO suggested on Thursday that official confirmation of a deal may not be far away, adding that he enjoyed seeing Godin score a crucial goal against Juventus in a Champions League last 16 first-leg clash on Wednesday.

I am happy, Marotta told Sky Sport Ita…

What the papers say

The potential ins and outs at Manchester United continue to keep the rumour mill turning. The Sun reports Manchester City’s England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, 28, is top of next summer’s shopping list.

An Old Trafford move could also be on the cards for RB Leipzig’s Lois Openda, 23. The Mirror says the Belgium striker could be a replacement for Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial.

Crystal Palace’s goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, 30, has emerged as a possible target for Newcastle, according to The Star. His England colleague Nick Pope is out for much of the season with a shoulder injury.

Fulham are keen on Le Havre defender Arouna Sangante. The Sun reports the club are increasing their interest in the 21-year-old Senegalese centre-half.

S…