Manchester United 'identify John McGinn as Paul Pogba replacement'

Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn has reportedly emerged as a shock replacement for Paul Pogba at Manchester United.

Pogba is about to enter the final six months of his deal at Old Trafford and can begin negotiations with clubs elsewhere from January onwards.

The arrival of Ralf Rangnick has supposedly led Pogba to consider penning a new deal at United, but his future remains up in the air while his contract situation remains unsolved.

According to The Sun, Rangnick believes that McGinn would fit the style of play that he wants to implement at United and could move for the Scotland international if Pogba does leave.

The report adds that Villa will demand in excess of £50m to sanction a sale, though, with the 27-year-old's deal not due to expire until 2025.

McGinn has three goals and one assist from 13 Premier League games this season and has bagged a total of 16 goals and 20 assists in 124 games for Villa since his 2018 arrival.

United are supposedly closing in on their first signing of the Rangnick era, though, with a deal for RB Leipzig's Amadou Haidara said to be 'all but agreed'.