Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'cool interest in Barcelona ace Ivan Rakitic'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 13 March 2019

A report claims that Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic is no longer a target for Manchester United due to Paul Pogba's improved form.

Manchester United have reportedly cooled their interest in Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic as they no longer fear losing Paul Pogba.

Talk of the Red Devils being interested in Rakitic coincided with speculation that Pogba could be on his way out of Old Trafford at the end of the season.

The France international was touted as a target for former club Juventus after falling out of favour under Jose Mourinho, but his form has vastly improved since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was placed in charge three months ago.

According to the Evening Standard, Pogba is now settled in Manchester once again and is not seeking a move away, so the Red Devils will no longer attempt to bring in Rakitic from Barcelona.

The report also suggests that the 25-year-old is so highly regarded by Solskjaer that the United caretaker boss plans to build his team around him if given the job on a full-time basis.

Rakitic's Camp Nou future remains under scrutiny, meanwhile, as Barca have already secured the signing of Ajax youngster Frenkie de Jong and have been tipped to bring in another high-profile midfielder.