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Pogba's agent shouldn't decide Utd career - Robson

PERTH, Australia -- Manchester United legend Bryan Robson has told Paul Pogba he should not let super-agent Mino Raiola push him out of the door at Old Trafford -- and teammate Andreas Pereira said he is prepared to steal the Frenchman's phone to stop him talking to others clubs.

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Raiola has publicly declared Pogba wants to leave United this summer amid interest from Real Madrid and Juventus.

The midfielder is with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad for the preseason tour of Australia and the Far East and, speaking in Perth, Robson -- who spent 13 years as a player at the club -- has told Pogba to be his own man.

"He would be in my team all the time," Robson said. "One thing fans should realise is sometimes agents get involved and say things that don't come from the player.

"Players should concentrate on their own careers and make their own decisions rather than rely on agents. It's your career -- you do what you think is right. That's how I see players today. Get on and play how you want to play.

"He's a great player. He should concentrate on that. He's contracted to Manchester United and he should concentrate on playing for Manchester United."

Pereira is one of Pogba's closest friends in the squad having both come through the academy. The Brazilian is keen for him to stay and joked that he is prepared to take extreme measures to make sure they are teammates again next season.

"I might steal his phone so he don't speak to no one!" laughed Pereira. "Just in the group he is a great person. It will be very important if he stays with us, he is a very good player and top class as a person as well.

"I learn from him every day, he is one of my closest friends, have been here with him since 16, so he is like family to me."

Pereira has already seen midfielders Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera leave the club in the past six months. Another one, Fred, did not travel with the rest of the squad to Australia after being granted time off to get married. He is set to join up in Singapore or Shanghai.

It is Herrera's departure to Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer that has caused the most concern among fans. Sources have told ESPN FC United are interested in Sean Longstaff, Bruno Fernandes and Saul Niguez but Solskjaer has also suggested he has a ready-made replacement in Pereira.

"That is what I'm aiming to do," Pereira said. "With the confidence from the manager, the staff, the board with the new contract, that is what I'm aiming to do and get games.

"I feel strong. I feel that I can step up. I feel that I have to take my chance now and I will be ready to take it this season."

After the 4-0 win over Leeds United at Optus Stadium on Wednesday, the players had a recovery session at the WACA on Thursday morning before flying to Singapore in the afternoon ahead of the game with Inter Milan on Saturday.

The club have already taken steps to ensure the pitch on their next stop in Shanghai is up to scratch after the Manchester derby at Beijing's Bird's Nest Stadium was called off in 2016.

Staff have visited the Hongkou Stadium four times since November and have also received weekly reports from ICC organisers, Relevent.

United groundsman Dave Lindop is also set to fly to China ahead of the team to check on the pitch with rain forecast in Shanghai around the game.