City battle Arsenal for United wonderkid Pogba

Confusion surrounds the future of Manchester United starlet Paul Pogba after reports linked the midfield prospect with Manchester City.

The 18-year-old is out of contract in summer and can to prospective new clubs in January if he does not sign a new deal at Old Trafford.

City are said to be keen to make him the third player in three years to take a direct route from one Manchester club to the other, after Carlos Tevez and Owen Hargreaves.

Pogba is also a target for Arsenal and German side Hamburg.

Sir Alex Ferguson remains confident that the player, snapped up from French side Le Havre in a controversial deal two years ago, will agree to a new deal.

But Pogba is thought to be frustrated that he has now progressed further in the first team, especially at a time when United's midfield is regarded as suspect.

He is thought to be seeking assurances from United about playing time in the future before committing himself to the club.