Will Paul Pogba Return to United in this Summer?

After parting ways with Manchester United in 2012, Paul Pogba the French International and Juventus midfield talisman became an immediate hit both at the club and international level. He’s been voted Europe’s best young player and he is yet to reach his peak as a footballer. His style of play and football talents is rare in young footballers of his age. He is able to dominate the midfield, initiate attack with lightning speed and score from long range. Since his debut for Juventus, the team has won the Italian League the second time in a roll and Pogba surely has something to do with this success.

The question on everyone’s lips has been why on earth did Manchester United let him go? In several interviews, Pogba has often spoken of the bitter circumstances which made him leave since he couldn’t get more playing time under Sir Alex Ferguson as United manager. It was thought that a return to United would be highly unlikely even in the distant future. All this is in the past now or so it seems as United’s new manager, Louis Van Gaal, has renewed interest in the 21 year old midfielder.

In March 2014, shortly before an international friendly with France, Van Gaal lavished praises on Pogba, warning his team, the Netherland, about the threat that Pogba possesses as a midfielder. In his interview with FourFourTwo, he said ‘Pogba is in a category of his own. Paul’s physically strong, very fast and technically superb….He’s the type of player who could fit into any team in the world.’ With such eulogies, it is not difficult to see why Van Gaal would make the move for him.

As expected, and reported by Daniel Taylor (The Observer, 7 June), Manchester United is back in for Paul Pogba and have been told they will have to pay £60 million for him. The paper also reported that Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola has stated that the player is open to a move back to Manchester United. Old Trafford believes that a £60 million valuation of the player is ‘realistic’ for a player of his talent, and age, indicating the club’s readiness to continue negotiating the player’s transfer. However, concerns are being raised about the player’s attitude especially off the pitch.

Manchester United is in dire need of quality midfielders and Paul Pogba could be an excellent and long term fix. However, beyond paying the transfer fees and agreeing personal terms, the club will need to put in proper perspective the reported frosty relationship between the player and Sir Alex Ferguson who is still a regular face at Old Trafford.