So, with the actual football done, the real games can begin. It probably says much about Paul Pogba’s situation that he still seems more adept at dominating the centre of the news cycle than he does the centre of a pitch. Some senior figures at Old Trafford are said to be "livid", especially given the 26-year-old was not supposed to be discussing his future on any such trips. Others describe it as a "typical Mina Raiola move". Either way, the 26-year-old has expertly worked the elements available to him, such as a commercial partner media gig, to announce that he wants a “new challenge”.

The challenge of leading Manchester United’s midfield, and fully releasing all that potential as he comes to his prime, doesn’t feel like one he has actually passed yet. Nor has he so well worked the midfield partners available to him.

The bigger question is whether he ever can pass that challenge, but even the problem with that is it may not be just down to Pogba.

This is the fundamental dilemma for the player, the team and the Old Trafford hierarchy. It is a dilemma appropriately reflective of a club currently lacking in direction, who are in a state of stasis.

That means there is a lot of direction for blame, with a lot of it having already gone to Pogba himself.

Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Show all 26 1 /26 Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Manchester United 2018/19 player ratings How did Manchester United's players perform this season? After a difficult campaign, we give each member of the squad a rating out of 10. AFP/Getty Images Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings David de Gea - 4/10 A poor year by an outstanding goalkeeper’s standards. Confidence seemed to be affected by errors and his limitations in distribution were sometimes exposed. Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Sergio Romero - 6/10 A dependable back-up in the domestic cups. Sent off in defeat to Derby in September, but did not let Solskjaer down in the run to the FA Cup quarter-finals. Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Victor Lindelof - 7/10 One of a few to emerge with any credit, even if he was more consistent in the first half of the campaign. His reputation enhanced, he is the only central defender whose place is secure. Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Phil Jones - 4/10 Unfairly targeted at times but still, eight years on from his arrival, far too injury prone and inconsistent to be depended upon. Even so, signed a new contract until 2023. Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Chris Smalling - 6/10 Led the defence well during Solskjaer’s first few weeks and months in charge but, like Jones, his limitations are well known by now. Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Luke Shaw - 7/10 Found confidence, consistency and finally established himself as a first-team regular. It proved enough to be named Player of the Year. Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Diogo Dalot - 6/10 A new arrival from Porto, Dalot showed glimpses of the potential which persuaded United to part with £19m. A solid if unspectacular debut year should now be built upon. Getty Images Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Ashley Young - 4/10 Not the long-term solution to the right-back position yet a first-team regular with a chance of being the next club captain. Loyal and diligent but is he still the best option? Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Antonio Valencia - 3/10 Ends his long United career out of favour, but underwhelmed in the few appearances he made regardless. A correct decision to let him go. Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Matteo Darmian - 5/10 Somehow still at the club, yet did not totally disgrace himself when called upon for a handful of appearances. Needs to be moved on, nevertheless. Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Eric Bailly - 3/10 A bad year a player whose Old Trafford career undeniably went backwards. Embarrassed with early substitutions against Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain. Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Marcos Rojo - 2/10 The curious United career of Rojo continues. Made just eight appearances, spent long spells sidelined with unspecified injuries, all less than a year after signing a new contract. Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Nemanja Matic - 4/10 First-choice at the base of midfield yet lacks the speed or technical ability of others in the same position at top clubs. Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Ander Herrera - 7/10 Impressed when employed as a destroyer and runner type in central midfield by Solskjaer, yet a new contract could not be agreed. Leaves after one of his better years. Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Paul Pogba - 6/10 Far from the worst offender but another season not commensurate to his talent. His 17 goals from midfield included eight penalties and another three spot-kicks were missed. AFP/Getty Images Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Scott McTominay - 7/10 Proved himself to be first-team squad material with a series of good performances in the second half of the campaign. Most improved player by some distance. Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Fred - 4/10 A difficult first year in Manchester for United’s fourth-most expensive signing ever. Looked woefully off-the-pace at times, only moderately effective at others. Needs a big second season. Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Juan Mata - 5/10 A popular figure but did little to force the club into awarding him a new contract. May leave having rarely been used effectively in his best role and might even regret the wasted years. Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Andreas Pereira - 5/10 Strike against Southampton won club’s goal of the season award but offered little else to suggest that he is a long-term answer in midfield. Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Jesse Lingard - 4/10 After an impressive 2017-18, just five goals and four assists is a poor return. Injuries did not help but performances were inconsistent. Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Anthony Martial - 5/10 The talent is there but is too rarely displayed. Enjoyed a run of good form around October and Christmas, but fell quiet once he had signed a new contract. Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Alexis Sanchez - 2/10 The Premier League’s best-paid player was not worth a penny. Difficult to find any positives in a wretched season, bar that late goal which may have only prolonged Mourinho’s stay. Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Romelu Lukaku - 5/10 15 goals in 45 appearances for a £75m striker cannot be dressed up as anything but a disappointment. A player that neither Mourinho or Solskjaer have catered towards. Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Marcus Rashford - 5/10 Despite enjoying a run of form in the mid-part of the campaign, that was lost by the end. Questions remains over whether he will reach the elite bracket of strikers. Getty Manchester United 2018-19 player ratings Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - 5/10 A promising start, a worrying end. Several odd decisions and a tactical inconsistency have caused concern, but he should only be fully judged with a pre-season behind him. PA

That can still feel unfair.

It can be simultaneously true that the French star has done relatively well with United, and has immense talent that is worth persisting with, but that he hasn’t even come close to fulfilling that talent at Old Trafford.

It can similarly be simultaneously true that United do not offer the best circumstances to do that, but that Pogba could have done more.

And round and round the circle goes, but still with the club maybe never leaving sixth place.

It is why Pogba’s situation poses a big problem for United, but also an opportunity.

This is what happens when there is a lack of central planning at a club like this. There are no obvious steps. There's no solution that totally "fits".

The very signing of Pogba perhaps sums this up.

Paul Pogba could make another big-money move in the upcoming window (Getty)

He was brought in - for huge money that inherently demanded huge influence - for a role he wasn’t yet ready for. He was essentially signed to be a leader when he needed a few more years being led.

Every problem effectively stems from this, right up to the current impasse.

What immediately followed his purchases, after all, were a series of signings to “unlock” Pogba. He was inadvertently dictating transfer policy without consciously dictating the middle of the pitch.

None of those signings have yet really worked, although there are many caveats. Nemanja Matic has probably been past his best since before he joined. Fred has been adjusting to a new country, although there are doubts over whether he has the football tools to do that.

He is wanted by both PSG and Real Madrid (Getty) (Getty / Independent)

So they just added to the jumble that United’s midfield options are: a group of different players, with very different career profiles, all signed by different managers to do different jobs. Only to then have to abruptly change up.

It is less wonder that the already self-indulgent Pogba sometimes doesn’t seem to know the best time or place to give it.

And that just reflects what has been going on with the team as a whole. It is a mishmash of ideas, and ill-fitting parts signed by different managers.

This is really what a technical director should be deciding, but it does not seem any will be appointed before the summer, or ever afforded the power to set that kind of vision.

The Frenchman has failed to ignite at Old Trafford (Reuters)

The bottom line is that Pogba is one of the few parts who represents value, and the sort of top-level talent that a club like United need as central to any vision, but are now sorely lacking in.

That very fact is now a natural reason he wants to go. They don’t have enough quality to challenge for the trophies he now feels he should be challenging for.

And yet, if it hasn’t been working, and may not work, selling him at least offers the chance for a rebuild; to set a new identity. That is why it can be an opportunity.

So, on that circle goes again, without that obvious solution.

An added issue is that United needed to solve problems with that midfield anyway, after the departures of Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera. They need bodies, at the very least, although there is the suggestion of more potential there.

Sources feel an agreement for the very talented Bruno Fernandes of Sporting Lisbon will eventually be completed, and Adrien Rabiot is another option being pursued.

Discussing a deal with Paris Saint-Germain for Rabiot will inevitably mean discussing a deal with them for Pogba, since the French champions are interested. So is Zinedine Zidane, but his club Real Madrid are not interested at a high price. Former club Juventus are meanwhile monitoring it all.

United’s official stance is that Pogba is not for sale.

Manchester United transfer 'targets' Show all 50 1 /50 Manchester United transfer 'targets' Manchester United transfer 'targets' Manchester United 'transfer targets': ranked and rated Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is planning a summer overhaul, but who is most likely to end up at Old Trafford? PA Manchester United transfer 'targets' Mohamed Salah A few spurious reports in Spain claim United are lining up a monster offer of around £180m, which makes no sense on any level. 0%. Getty Manchester United transfer 'targets' Pedro Can we take a moment to appreciate the defending in this photo... Anyway, the Fluminense striker has reportedly agreed to join Watford so it seems like this boat has sailed. 1%. AFP/Getty Images Manchester United transfer 'targets' Reece James The Chelsea defender has had an outstanding season on loan at Wigan and with a potential transfer embargo looming, it seems unlikely the club would sell him – let alone to a big-six rival. New contract imminent. 1%. Getty Manchester United transfer 'targets' Sergio Ramos The Real Madrid captain has fallen out with the club's hierarchy, but has since said he wants to stay and see out his career at the Bernabeu. 1%. Reuters Manchester United transfer 'targets' Niklas Sule A giant of a man who would improve United's defence, but it is unclear why he would leave Bayern or why Bayern would let him go. 1%. Getty Manchester United transfer 'targets' Robert Lewandowski Can't imagine it. That's all this is based on. 2%. EPA Manchester United transfer 'targets' Hirving Lozano The PSV forward said he wanted to play for United a couple of months ago, but has since said he wants to play in the Champions League next season. 2%. EPA Manchester United transfer 'targets' Thomas Meunier Key facts: slated United's comeback win in Paris recently, heavily linked with Arsenal; scored that lovely goal at the World Cup. 3%. PA Manchester United transfer 'targets' Jan Oblak The kind of quality that United would be looking for, should David de Gea leave, though it would take a huge sum to prise him from Atletico and he signed a new contract in April. 3%. AFP/Getty Images Manchester United transfer 'targets' Joao Cancelo Seems settled in Turin, with Manchester City reported as more likely a destination than United should he leave this summer. 3%. REUTERS Manchester United transfer 'targets' Wilfred Ndidi A few reports say Manchester United fans want him, but little concrete linking the club to a bid, and Leicester are keen to hold on to the midfielder. 3%. Getty Manchester United transfer 'targets' Patrick van Aanholt Possibly just included in the more concrete Aaron Wan-Bissaka rumours by way of neat symmetry. 4% Getty Images Manchester United transfer 'targets' Ivan Rakitic Didn't play well at Anfield in the Champions League and could be usurped in midfield by Frenkie de Jong next season, but it still feels a long shot that he ends up at Old Trafford. 4%. EPA Manchester United transfer 'targets' Philippe Coutinho Not having a great time at the Nou Camp but was promised another season by the club president in a recent interview. Would be extremely expensive if he became available. 4%. EPA Manchester United transfer 'targets' Jadon Sancho Jadon Sancho was wanted by United this summer, but a deal looks very unlikely with huge competition and his settled place at Dortmund. 4%. EPA Manchester United transfer 'targets' Thomas Partey His dad seems to want him move to the Premier League, judging by his quotes in the media, but it is unclear just how serious United or any other top club are about signing the Atletico Madrid midfielder. 4%. Getty Manchester United transfer 'targets' Declan Rice The West Ham and England midfielder could be set for a career at the top of the game, but reports linking him to United are light on detail, and more recently Solskjaer has 'accepted Rice is out his reach'. 4%. Action Images via Reuters Manchester United transfer 'targets' Edinson Cavani Perpetually linked with a PSG exit, but never actually leaves. Supposedly United and Chelsea both want him, but those rumours haven't resurfaced for a couple of months. 5%. AFP/Getty Images Manchester United transfer 'targets' Joao felix The forward is one of the best young players on the planet. Manchester City are believed to lead the race for his signature, and he is an admirer of Pep Guardiola, although he just looks like he's made for a clasico one day. 5%. AFP/Getty Images Manchester United transfer 'targets' Tanguy Ndombele Lyon midfielder heavily linked with Tottenham, and loosely linked with United. 5%. REUTERS Manchester United transfer 'targets' James Rodriguez Loan at Bayern has not been made permanent so he's back at Real Madrid, looking for a new club. United are one of the few who could pay his wages but the links have been tenuous at best. 6%. AFP/Getty Images Manchester United transfer 'targets' Wilfried Zaha His last stay at Manchester United was not particularly productive and north London seems a more likely destination for the Palace forward, judging by the latest reports. 6%. Getty Manchester United transfer 'targets' Mauro Icardi Lost the Inter captaincy after his wife/agent fell out with the board. Could form part of a swap deal with Romelu Lukaku, but these high-profile swaps almost never happen. 6%. Reuters Manchester United transfer 'targets' Idrissa Gueye He wants out and PSG are reportedly eyeing the midfielder, who Everton value at more than £40m. 7% REUTERS Manchester United transfer 'targets' Andre Onana The impressive Ajax goalkeeper has been linked with Barcelona and Arsenal too, but is another option if De Gea departs. 7%. REUTERS Manchester United transfer 'targets' Richarlison Having scored this goal (pictured) against United in one of their more spectacularly inept displays this season, Richarlison is on their radar, but he said recently that he is happy at Goodison and it's hard to see exactly which problem he would solve at Old Trafford. 7%. Getty Images Manchester United transfer 'targets' Ryan Sessegnon Still only 19, the winger didn't quite light up the Premier League this season, although he was playing in a duff Fulham side. A change might do him good but Tottenham are said to be the most interested of the top six, if indeed he goes that high. 7%. Action via Reuters Manchester United transfer 'targets' Antoine Griezmann 'Griezzy' is taking those luscious locks to Barcelona, probably, although things have gone quiet on that front in recent days so you never know. 7%. AFP/Getty Images Manchester United transfer 'targets' Toby Alderweireld Toby Alderweireld looks like he is set to depart the snappily titled Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but United have preferred centre-back targets. 8%. Getty Manchester United transfer 'targets' Bruno Fernandes Sporting's talented midfielder has been linked with Manchester City too, while he's also said he "likes" Liverpool's style of play. 8%. REUTERS Manchester United transfer 'targets' Saul Niguez Has a £130m buyout clause but could go for much less after falling out with Diego Simeone. 9%. Getty Images Manchester United transfer 'targets' Keylor Navas Rumoured as part of an exchange deal with Real Madrid in any Paul Pogba deal. Regained his place when Zidane returned to Real ahead of Thibaut Cortois, but his future remains uncertain. 9%. AFP/Getty Images Manchester United transfer 'targets' Jerome Boateng Another ageing, injury-prone centre-back is probably not what United need but Bayern are willing to sell for £15m. 10%. Getty Manchester United transfer 'targets' Jasper Cillessen The Barcelona back-up has been cited as a potential option to replace De Gea, should he leave, and he wants game time, so it is not an implausible deal. 10%. Getty Manchester United transfer 'targets' Kieran Trippier Serie A is said to be the most likely destination for 'Tripps', whose brief period resembling Dani Alves seems a long time ago now. 11%. Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I Manchester United transfer 'targets' Nicolas Pepe Lille's prolific winger is wanted by Manchester United and Liverpool this summer, while his manager said he's "150% likely to leave". Having done some detailed calculations, we've got him at 12%. AFP/Getty Manchester United transfer 'targets' Gareth Bale Bale has spent so much time on the bench under Zinedine Zidane mark II that a move to the Premier League is not impossible, and United are one of the few clubs who could meet his wage demands. The type of needless galactico signing United have made a habit of in recent years. 13%. Getty Manchester United transfer 'targets' Moussa Dembele United supposedly bid £35m for the Lyon forward, who has performed well since joining from Celtic, but little has been heard since those reports last month. 14%. AFP/Getty Images Manchester United transfer 'targets' Christian Eriksen He wants to leave and Real Madrid are yet to put in an offer, but they are thought to be growing keen since his come-and-get-me plea last week. Available cut-price with his contract running down. 14%. Getty / Independent Manchester United transfer 'targets' Paulo Dybala Sounds like he's on his way out of Turin, but where? United have been linked but Inter have been mooted too, while Real Madrid were in and then out again. Nothing very concrete though, so hard to say. 15%. REUTERS Manchester United transfer 'targets' Ruben Dias The centre-back, left, is already a regular international and there have been reports of a mooted £50m+ transfer over in Portugal. 16%. AP Manchester United transfer 'targets' Sean Longstaff Early days, but seems like a Geordie Scott McTominay. Talk of a £25m transfer seems completely pointless for all involved, and therefore quite a plausible strategy for United to embark upon. 17%. Getty Manchester United transfer 'targets' Adrien Rabiot Available on a free transfer this summer, but that means there is plenty of interest. Would fill a gap with Ander Herrera's departure and Paul Pogba's future up in the air. 18%. AFP/Getty Manchester United transfer 'targets' James Maddison United are at the front of a bustling queue for the Leicester City midfielder, whose creativity stats have made him the Moneyball pick of the summer. 20%. Independent Manchester United transfer 'targets' Kalidou Koulibaly The centre-back is one of the world’s most sought-after defenders, but he will come at a huge price. Then again, United desperately need defensive reinforcements and he's near the top of their wanted list as one of the best around. 21%. Reuters Manchester United transfer 'targets' Matthijs de Ligt The summer transfer target of all transfer targets. Juventus and Barcelona are in the hunt but United are said to be pushing hardest for the teenager. Louis van Gaal's advice to De Ligt – to snub chaotic United for Guardiola's City – won't have gone down well with the man that hired and fired him, Ed Woodward, you suspect. 23%. Getty Images Manchester United transfer 'targets' Harry Maguire The Leicester and England centre-back would be an instant starter, but is another linked with Manchester City too. Jose Mourinho tried and failed to sign him last summer. Seems destined to depart the King Power, either way. 25%. Reuters Manchester United transfer 'targets' Aaron Wan-Bissaka A brilliant defender who would resolve one of United's problem positions. A hefty pricetag of £50m, but then United have form for shelling out excessive sums on promising English full-backs. 36%. Reuters Manchester United transfer 'targets' Youri Tielemans The midfielder played so well on loan at Leicester that he has attracted interest from the very biggest clubs in Europe. United and Spurs are again reported to be competing for his affections, and our very own Miguel Delaney says he is No1 priority should Pogba go. 42%. Getty

And yet the unofficial view from many sources is that “everything depends” on his situation. It could yet dictate a lot, not least whether they bring in players like Monaco’s Youri Tielemans, or James Maddison of Leicester City. As regards the latter, there’s the added issue that Leicester will likely only let one of Maddison or Harry Maguire go, with the latter more likely.

These are the kind of entanglements that United are caught up in, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer desperately tries to forge a clearer path forward.

Pogba’s unclear circumstances thereby come at a particularly inopportune time, but were entirely inevitable.

He symbolises where the club are at, but not in the manner intended.