There is no denying that French World Cup winning midfielder Paul Pogba’s switch from Italian giants Juventus, to Premier League giants Manchester United, was largely an unmitigated disaster and the move ultimately did not go how the 29-year-old would have wanted.
Having been signed for a then world record transfer fee of £89million, Pogba went on to only make 195 starting appearances for the Red Devil’s in his second spell (six years) with them, returning 39 goals but his personal trophy cabinet only saw two additions to it – winners medals from both the Europa League and the EFL Cup after successes in 2016/17. With injuries and form issues hitting in the final few years of his contract, his spell back in Manchester is probably summed up by the fact that his own supporters booed him in what would prove to be his final home game for them (April’s clash with Norwich City) as he was substituted and the likes of 22bet football betting would not have imagined that this would have been his ultimate end.
The fact Pogba moved on as a free agent this summer came as a surprise to nobody and in many ways his return to Juventus, given his prior success with the Old Lady, always seemed to be the most feasible option and having flown to Turin last Friday to undergo his medical, confirmation of the move coming through on Monday brought the saga to an end.
Supporters of the Bianconeri will again be hoping it is a match made in heaven, and Pogba certainly sounded happier than he had been in a long while as he met with the media when the move was confirmed.
“As you can see, I’m back and I’m very happy – I can’t wait to start with you and win trophies with you. We’ll be there on the pitch in the stadium, all together.”
Juventus’ own statement was also glowing for his return.
“When we say goodbye after an intense adventure shared together, there is always a glimmer of hope that we will see each other again, sooner or later. He left as a boy and returns as a man and a champion, but there is one thing that has not changed – the desire to write unforgettable pages of club history together once more. Pogba is back and we couldn’t be happier.”
After his struggles in Manchester, despite the success they had in his first season back with them, the biggest question remains that now he is back in a more loving and comfortable environment, will he be able to put his more recent issues behind him and get back to his best on a football pitch.
Despite his strong start at Old Trafford, everything turned when he fell out with then manager Jose Mourinho back in 2018, losing the vice captaincy in the process and in the last three seasons he only found the net eight times in 91 appearances – with only one goal to show for his 27 appearances in the 2021/22 campaign.
If he can find his form again, Juventus will be very confident that he can help them bridge last season’s 16 point gap to Serie A champions AC Milan, and restore their own title credentials.
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