Paul Pogba has admitted publicly for the first time that he wants to leave Manchester United this summer as he tries to engineer a move away from Old Trafford.

With United under no financial pressure to sell a player who effectively has three years left on his contract, Pogba recognises that he may have to force the club’s hand to stand any chance of securing a transfer.

Real Madrid and Juventus are interested in signing Pogba but know that would be dependent on driving down United’s £160 million valuation, especially if the Manchester club proves unwilling to take players in return, so the prospect of the Frenchman agitating may benefit their cause.

Pogba has been telling friends privately for some time that he wants to quit United but he has now decided to publicly reveal his hand in a marked escalation from his flirtation with Real in March, when he admitted it would be a “dream” to play at the Bernabeu.

Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, where he has been on a promotional tour with his sponsor Adidas, Pogba said: “Like you said, there is a lot of talking and a lot of thinking as well.

“For me I have been for three years in Manchester and it’s been great - some good moments and some bad moments, like everybody, everywhere else.