There's a deciding factor in whether Paul Pogba could be on his way to Real Madrid this summer

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Despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s assurances about the Frenchman’s future, Manchester United stars face salary cuts if they do not qualify for the Champions League this season

Manchester United players face a cut in their salaries of up to 25% next season if they fail to secure Champions League qualification.

The belt-tightening could lead to some high-profile departures from Old Trafford – with Real Madrid likely to target midfield star Paul Pogba.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to keep a hold of the French World Cup winner, saying this week: “I cannot see him not playing for us next season.”

But with reports in the Sun of performance-related pay cuts for United’s top players, Zinedine Zidane may fancy Real’s chances are luring Pogba to the Bernabeu. Having signed for Manchester United for a fee of £89 million in 2016, Madrid would likely have to dig deep in their pockets to land Pogba this summer.

United currently lie sixth in the Premier League, three points off fourth. Their other route to Champions League qualification is through winning the tournament this year – but Barcelona stand in their way in the quarter-finals.

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Conor Pope
Conor Pope
Online Editor

Conor Pope is the former Online Editor of FourFourTwo, overseeing all digital content. He plays football regularly, and has a large, discerning and ever-growing collection of football shirts from around the world.

He supports Blackburn Rovers and holds a season ticket with south London non-league side Dulwich Hamlet. His main football passions include Tugay, the San Siro and only using a winter ball when it snows.