Manchester United thwarted a late move from Real Madrid to complete the world record signing of Paul Pogba from Juventus.
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Meanwhile, his main title rivals have been busy with a number of big-money signings, most notably the £89m spent by United on re-signing France midfielder Pogba.
United, who beat Premier League champions Leicester City 2-1 in the Community Shield at Wembley at the weekend, begin the new campaign on Sunday with a trip to Bournemouth.
And the former England defender has revealed how he tried to urge Pogba to stay at the Premier League club at the time.
“When other people break records, I don’t think it’s a reason to be sad”.
Pogba was filmed embracing old colleagues as he reacquainted himself with Carrington yesterday while Jesse Lingard, the United winger with whom he won the 2011 FA Youth Cup, posted a video of the pair together.
The Red Devils believe they have made a statement of intent by beating the reigning Champions League winners to the signing of the French midfielder.
“He gave me energy, he gave me positivity”, said Pogba. The wait was as annoying to me as it was to you. “They all told me he’s the coach for me – he will make me improve a lot and make me work harder”.
Pogba’s £89 million fee eclipses the sums Real Madrid paid for Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, with the 23-year-old finally confirming his long-awaited move in the early hours of Tuesday morning. It is just the same and I was thinking about before.
Pogba made 124 appearances and scored 28 goals during his time at Juventus and was in the France squad that lost in the 2016 European Championship final.
The transfer fee is payable over two years and could also see an additional €5 million tacked on if certain conditions are met.
United manager Jose Mourinho justified Pogba’s fee and accused the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool of lacking the aura to attract eminent players.
“Leaving Manchester when I was 18 was a mutual decision between the club and me and the right thing to do at that moment”.
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“He is going to be a top player for years to come and he will make a big difference to United’s title chances”.
