Manchester United manager José Mourinho has vowed to defend and protect Paul Pogba from his critics as he adapts to life back in the Premier League.
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When Pogba joined Juventus in 2012, United received just £800,000 in compensation, and the Frenchman quickly established himself as a key player, helping the Bianconeri win Serie A four times and the Coppa Italia twice.
“I think it’s destiny, I would say it’s destiny”, Pogba told MUTV. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Pogba arrived at Manchester United’s training ground on Monday to have his medical exam, before the team confirmed the deal just after midnight on Tuesday.
In addition to the initial £89m, United could pay an extra £4.25m in add-ons.
Gareth Bale moved from Tottenham to Real Madrid for a whopping £85.1 million.
Pogba finally completed his move back to Old Trafford from Juventus on Monday night for a world-record transfer fee, but there are questions over how best to fit the 23-year-old into Mourinho’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
“I spoke with a lot of players (who played under Mourinho) when he was at Real Madrid”, Pogba said.
“So I was thinking ‘why not?’ I’m sure he can make me improve and make me a better player and a better person”.
Manchester City has eight new signings, not to mention new coach Pep Guardiola, and will put up a good fight.
Pogba has spoken of his excitement about his transfer, saying, “I am delighted to rejoin United”.
‘I feel the responsibility of the job, ‘ Mourinho said. “There’s no words, to be honest, there’s no words”. I just went for a holiday, looks like I went for a holiday.
Pogba has emerged as one of world football’s superstars during his time in Turin.
The midfielder has been capped by France on 38 occasions, scoring 6 goals and was a member of the recent squad that reached the final of Euro 2016. “Where you could approximately value a player before, today the identity of a club that comes in for a transfer is more important than the rest”. It is believed that the 11-time Champions League winners were prepared to match the financial outlay proposed by Premier League club, but the midfielder’s keenness to work with Jose Mourinho and the opportunity to return to his former club are what clinched his signature.
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He has been handed the No.6 shirt.
