In Turin, Juventus confirmed media reports that Pogba had been transferred for $116 million, which will be paid over two years.
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“It was a mistake to let him leave but bringing him back is a statement of intent”, added the former England central defender who joined United for a then British record fee of £29.1 million in 2002.
Paul Pogba is targeting the Premier League, Champions League and Ballon d’Or following his world-record switch back to Manchester United.
It is understood there has been significant interest in Schweinsteiger from clubs at home and overseas, and despite the 32-year-old being at the top end of United’s pay scale, it is not thought his salary will prevent his exit before the 31 August transfer deadline.
The arrival of Pogba isn’t all flawless for the club. The Frenchman made just seven first-team appearances for United, all off the bench. Pogba is different in this respect – he is an energetic central midfielder with a strong all-round game – so United has been criticized by some pundits for the fee it is paying. He was also part of the France side who finished runners-up at Euro 2016.
“Pogba is a great player who has got an unbelievable potential”, Altafini was quoted as saying by FourFourTwo. He can score, he can pass, he can play a killer ball, he can tackle and he can defend.
For Juventus, losing Pogba is a big blow but making a sizable profit for a player that cost them only £800,000 four years ago considerably softens it.
Mourinho said the pair’s comments were “not ethical” last week, and used an interview with United’s in-house TV station MUTV to once again belittle Liverpool and Arsenal.
The signing of Pogba by @ManUtd is a watershed moment for @premierleague. However, he is best when being allowed to play box-to-box.
The 23-year-old midfielder returns after four years away, having left United for Juventus for £1.5m in 2012. If Pogba is lined up next to Carrick then in a flawless world Carrick can protect the back four while Pogba gets up and down the field.
With Ibrahimovic, still one of the most efficient strikers in the world, up front, Pogba patrolling the midfield, David de Gea in goal and Wayne Rooney running all over, it won’t take a tactical genius to find a way to win games.
“I am delighted to rejoin United”, Pogba told United’s official website.
But this is of course Jose Mourinho we’re talking about, a man not exactly known for changing his ways or giving players too much freedom on the pitch. Given the number six shirt at Old Trafford, Pogba penned a five-year deal and the transfer was announced early on Tuesday morning.
At the same time, this is Jose Mourinho we’re talking about. He’s a very good player, there’s no doubt, and Mourinho will feel he can get the best out of him.
He replied candidly: “Well, if they were not in my plans, I would not give them one single minute”.
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Mourinho’s reign got off to a successful start on Sunday as Ibrahimovic scored the victor in a 2-1 victory over Premier League champions Leicester City in the Community Shield.
