Bryan Robson believes agents have too much influence on modern players and the Manchester United great hopes wantaway midfielder Paul Pogba continues to knuckle down amid ongoing speculation.

Three years after being brought back to Old Trafford in what was a world-record deal, the 26-year-old has openly admitted that he is ready for "a new challenge somewhere else".

Pogba said there was "no need" to speak about his situation after United opened their pre-season tour of Australia with a 2-0 win against Perth Glory on Saturday but talk continues of a move to former club Juventus or Real Madrid.

"They know they've got to improve on last season. I was at the Player of the Year do right at the end of the season and you could see the disappointment in the players, that they knew they hadn't achieved what they wanted to achieve.

"And we know that we've got to step up our game if we want to compete with Man City and Liverpool next year – and it all starts from here.

"We've made a couple of good young signings. Hopefully we can maybe get a few more players in, but in saying that you can only get the players in if the players are available and they're as good as what the manager and coaching staff want in the club.

"But I think we're going in the right direction."