Real Madrid great questions Paul Pogba's humility amid Manchester United transfer links

Pogba has consistently been linked with a move to Real Madrid throughout his career.

Real Madrid should avoid signing Paul Pogba from Manchester United if they want "humble players", according to a club icon.

Former Los Blancos midfielder Uli Stielike has warned his old club that returning to the era of galacticos could be a flawed concept, amid speculation that they could target Pogba among other signings.

The United midfielder will soon have less than a year remaining on his Old Trafford contract and has been touted to join compatriot Zinedine Zidane in the Spanish capital.

United are yet to take up the option to extend Pogba's deal with the club until 2022 but are relaxed about the situation. Pogba is likely to feature heavily for United when the season resumes behind closed doors after missing much of the campaign due to separate ankle complaints.

Stielike was asked about Madrid links with the 27-year-old World Cup winner.

"If you want to return to the idea of the galactics, maybe yes," he told  AS . "But I am more in favour of humble players with great talent and sacrifice for the team."

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Stielike added that Madrid will need time, rather than instant signings, to fill the hole vacated by former United star Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Juventus in the summer of 2018.

Madrid won four Champions League titles in five years spearheaded by Ronaldo, but have struggled a little since his high-profile departure.

"There is only one Cristiano," added Stielike. "That's why I see that any team needs a certain adaptation time when a fundamental piece is gone."