Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba warm up prior the UEFA Champions League football match group H, between Istanbul Basaksehir FK and Manchester United, on November 4, 2020, at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim stadium in Istanbul. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)
According to Daily Mail, Claudio Marchisio has urged Paul Pogba to end his stay at Manchester United and re-join Juventus. Both players enjoyed 4 successful years at the Italian club between 2012 and 2016 before Pogba left for United.
The 27-year-old French midfielder started his youth career at Roissy-en-Brie in 1999 before moving to Torcy after 7 years. Le Havre recruited him in 2007 and he spent the next two seasons there.
Interestingly enough, he joined Manchester United’s academy in 2009 and progressed through the youth ranks to appear in three senior games. However, he let his contract run down and moved to Juventus on a free transfer.
Alongside some stellar names, Pogba shone the brightest at Juve. He was given full freedom to express himself and in 4 years time, he was seen as one of the best young midfielders in the world. In 178 games for Juventus, he scored 34 goals and assisted 4 (source – Transfermarkt).
Manchester United had to swallow humble pie when they re-signed him for a (then) world-record transfer in 2016. So far, Pogba has had a mixed bag at United. Capable of world-class performances, fans have seen too little of the Pogba they saw at Juventus. It has all been bits and pieces as he has struggled with form and injuries.
The midfielder is a stalwart for France with 72 games and 10 goals as he helped them to a FIFA World Cup in 2018.
It is safe to say mission ‘Pogback’ didn’t quite turn out the way Manchester United would have hoped for. A lot was expected from the Frenchman on his homecoming but there have only been flashes of the potential he possesses.
Capable of the audacious, his good games for United have been few and far in between. Everytime he has put on a good run of games, something or the other has happened. Currently the player is out of the starting XI as Solskjaer has opted to bring him on from the bench.
Quite why Pogba has underwhelmed so much at the club is rather puzzling. He has also not helped United’s cause with comments about wanting to play for Real Madrid some day. Add to that his statements about how it is better to play for France on international duty and you have Manchester United fighting a losing battle.
Perhaps it is time for Manchester United to cut their losses and move on from Pogba. His actions have undermined the club on various occasions, which is plain embarrassing for a club of Manchester United’s stature.
