Pogba is staying at United, says Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Manchester United manr Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Friday that French World Cup-winning midfielder Paul Pogba will t leave club in January transfer window. 26-year-old -- persistently linked with Real Madrid -- has only played two matches for United since end of August due to an ankle injury and speculation has been growing that he would t play for club again. Pogba, whose return was delayed by a mystery illness despite him being seen dancing at his bror Florentin's wedding last weekend, admitted in summer he was looking for a new challenge, but that will t be in January according to Solskjaer.

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"Paul is t getting sold in January, ," he told reporters at a press conference ahead of Sunday's Premier League match at Watford.

"I understand interest. Paul is a fantastic player and a charismatic personality and we're happy that he is here." Pogba has missed 26 of a possible 28 matches for club and country this autumn and United have missed his midfield dynamism.

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Solskajer has always maintained Pogba -- who has 18 months remaining on his contract -- would make it back before end of year and he has w returned to first-team training. But for rwegian, most important thing is to reincorporate a fully fit and firing Pogba into his youthful team. "When he comes back, we want him to play well, play with a smile on his face and do what he did a year ago when I came in," said Solskjaer. "His form was fantastic and it has been fantastic. We kw we have one of best players in world when he's fit and playing well. "Of course he needs time to get fit, but he will make a difference for us. "I still hope he can play by end of year, but let's see how he feels. We are t going to push him. We need him to be 100% fit. I can't risk any setbacks." Solskjaer also denied suggestions that rway striker Erling Braut Haaland was on his way to United for talks over a possible January move to Old Trafford.

re were reports in his homeland that Red Bull Salzburg player had boarded a flight from rwegian city of Stavanger to Manchester on Friday morning. Haaland is one of most-sought after players in Europe after a sensational six months in Austria. rwegian, son of former Leeds and Manchester City player Alf-Inge Haaland, himself a former international team-mate of Solskjaer, has scored 28 goals in 22 matches, with five hat-tricks, including eight in six in Champions League.

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He met with Solskjaer in Salzburg last week, but United manr was adamant Haaland's travel plans did t involve a return meeting in Manchester. "I don't think he's en route here, to be fair," he said. "t through me anyway! "He is t coming to Manchester. I kw boy and I kw his friends and he's on a Christmas holiday. "You can't fly anywhere from Stavanger without going via somewhere else." 

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