Issues surrounding Paul Pogba and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer amid reports of relationship breakdown

Man United midfielder Paul Pogba [Courtesy]

Paul Pogba’s underwhelming recent performances for Manchester United has reportedly played a part in the breakdown of his relationship with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Real Madrid have been linked with a summer swoop for the World Cup winner, and Pogba has made no secret of his admiration for Zinedine Zidane.

That speculation comes at a time when Pogba has struggled for consistent performances, having initially impressed under United boss Solskjaer.

According to Le Parisien, the relationship between Pogba and Solskjaer's is 'slowly fading’, which could give Madrid an advantage in their pursuit of the playmaker.

The former Juventus star notched nine times in Solskjaer's first 12 matches - but hasn't found the net since United's 2-0 win at Chelsea in the FA Cup in February.

And the last of his 11 assists this season came in the win at Crystal Palace later that month, highlighting his recent struggles.

Madrid boss Zidane recently expressed his admiration for Pogba following the player's comments about the Spanish giants during the international break.

While on France duty last month, Pogba told a press conference Real were a "dream" club - comments that led to speculation surrounding the star’s future in the Premier League.

Pogba, meanwhile, believes United can hurt Barcelona as Solskjaer's side again look to overcome an Old Trafford loss in the Champions League.

Having last month recovered from a two-goal home defeat in stunning fashion at Paris Saint-Germain, the Red Devils head to Spain next Tuesday looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the quarter-finals.

Luke Shaw's own goal from a Luis Suarez header was the difference at Old Trafford, where United failed to muster a shot on target but largely shackled Barca's glut of attacking options.

Solskjaer's men face an uphill battle at the Nou Camp, but Pogba takes encouragement from Barcelona's limited display at Old Trafford.

"Obviously we were playing against Barcelona, one of the best teams in the world, but we gave them some problems as well.

"They give us them some problems, but we know where we can hurt them.

“Now it is one leg gone, you have the other one and we are going to give everything on this one."