Honeymoon over: Solskjaer faces a battle to keep Pogba and De Gea after losing his initial momentum in the dugout

A growing number of Manchester United’s key players are considering leaving in the summer. A seven-strong group that includes Paul Pogba and David de Gea have been tempted by approaches from Champions League rivals as the club struggles to qualify for next season’s competition.

Pogba, for whom United paid £89m three years ago, has stated his interest in playing for Real Madrid, whose new manager Zinedine Zidane described the France international as “somebody who brings something few others can to the pitch”. Zidane secured personal control over a substantial percentage of Madrid’s transfer budget as a condition of returning to the club last month.

De Gea has also been targeted by Madrid, as well as Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. The goalkeeper is unhappy with United’s