Pogba completed his prolonged transfer from Serie A champions Juventus to United on Tuesday in world-record deal worth £89million and despite the price for a player who had previously starred in the club’s academy, Cole was delighted to see the 23-year-old France worldwide sign.
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“Paul is one of the best players in the world and will be a key part of the United team I want to build here for the future”, added Mourinho.
Pogba left United four years ago when he was 19 – and virtually for nothing when his first contract with the club expired.
“Man United has to be in the Champions League”.
United spent £89m to bring the France midfielder back to the club from Juventus, and his former teammate Ferdinand believes the France worldwide can handle the pressure. “He has everything”, the Portuguese said.
“If he needs protection, I am here to protect”, Mourinho said.
Arindam is ESPN FC’s Manchester United correspondent.
The one and only, Paul Pogba, is back, and with a new home. He doesn’t look like a star.
Pogba completed his £89million return to the club earlier this week and, given the Frenchman’s attacking capabilities, Morgan Schneiderlin had been tipped to partner him. I think that the Champions League is empty when Man United is not there. This puts him ahead of Wayne Rooney, the long-time captain of United, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the latest acquisition of “The Red Devils”, according to the Daily Mail.
Pogba is looking forward to working with a serial victor like Mourinho and said: “I spoke with a lot of players when he was at (Real) Madrid – I spoke with (Alvaro) Morata, (Raphael) Varane – and they all told me he is a coach for me, he will make me improve a lot because he makes you work harder”. I don’t think it is a reason to be sad.
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Wenger, who may soon tie up a deal for Valencia and Germany central defender Shkodran Mustafi, begins the new Premier League season with Arsenal against Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
