Manchester United told to sell Paul Pogba and sign Jack Grealish 'for £70m transfer fee'

Andy Gray has urged Manchester United to dump Paul Pogba and bring in Jack Grealish this summer.

The former Aston Villa striker says a move for Grealish is a "no-brainer" in the circumstances, with Pogba set for a move away from Old Trafford at the end of the season after a largely disappointing second stint with the club.

Grealish ranks highly on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's list of targets, though he put a move to Old Trafford in jeopardy last month by flouting government guidelines during the UK's coronavirus lockdown.

Grealish's actions will certainly have prompted Solskjaer to pause and take stock, but Gray has encouraged United to press ahead with plans to sign the Villa talisman.

"We don't know how football is going to come through this crisis," Gray told The Sun. "We don't know if football is going to be the same again and if it will affect players' values.

"But, when the dust settles, if I could sell Pogba for £100million and bring in Grealish for £70m, I'd do it in a heartbeat. It's a no-brainer."

Solskjaer has been promised the funds to complete his rebuild this summer, with Jadon Sancho his top target.

Grealish and James Maddison are also on his wish list, along with a centre forward.

Funds raised from the proposed sale of Pogba would boost their transfer kitty significantly, but United have doubts any club will meet their £150million valuation - especially given the financial climate amid the coronavirus pandemic.

It means Pogba could end up staying at United, but Gray believes anything more than the £89million paid for the Frenchman in 2016 should be seen as a bonus.

"United still might be able to get their money back on Pogba," he added. "We know his value commercially and on social media with his millions of followers. That's important to football clubs these days.

"But he's pretty much failed at United. Is it his own fault or just bad luck with injuries? I think it's probably a combination of the two.

"Real Madrid seems the right fit for him - and his agent has been edging towards that."

Read more

Man United’s watertight business plan is still vulnerable to Covid-19

Neville on break up of Man United's Class of '92: 'I was devastated'