Frenchman has sanction reduced from four years to 18 months on appeal
He can return to action in March but Juventus terminated his contract last month
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By SAM LAWLEY
Published: 07:22 EST, 9 December 2024 | Updated: 07:22 EST, 9 December 2024
Paul Pogba could be set for a sensational return to Manchester United after his contract at Juventus was terminated following a doping ban, a former Red Devils striker has suggested.
The 31-year-old swapped Manchester for Turin in 2022 after a tumultuous stint which saw him play for the club 233 times and score 39 goals.
He had arrived at Old Trafford in 2016 for a world-record £89m fee but failed to meet lofty expectations and fall-outs with a string of managers meant his future was uncertain for his last three years at the side.
A year after his move to Juventus, Pogba was hit with a four-year doping ban after a drugs test found increased levels of testosterone in his system. The star was handed a lifeline in October when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the sanction from four years to 18 months following an appeal.
This means the French World Cup winner can recommence his professional career in March but he is currently without a club after agreeing to terminate his contract with the Italian giants last month.
Now former United star Louis Saha has told Casino Utan Spelpaus that his compatriot will return to Old Trafford to take part in training sessions with the side, which is now managed by Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim.
Paul Pogba could be gearing up for a return to Man United according to a former player
The midfielder saw his doping ban reduced to 18 months, giving him hope of a comeback
Now former Red Devils star Louis Saha has suggested he might come and train with the side
The 46-year-old said: 'I've heard some rumours that Paul Pogba will be offered the opportunity to come back and train with Man United in the New Year, and I think that would be a great opportunity for Paul.
'He needs to get back to his best level as quickly as possible, and training with top players will help him to do that. I think he would be thrilled to have the opportunity to go back to the club.
'I also think that Paul Pogba is still a very special player. When you think about midfielders, Pogba has unique qualities.
'I think the United squad lacks power in the midfield, and we're missing a skilful player that can play box-to-box, so he would be a good addition [to the United squad] because he's a different profile of player to what United have.'
Saha also suggested that Pogba would be happy to take a wage cut if it meant getting the opportunity to turn out in a United shirt once again.
'When I look at Pogba, I think that many teams in the would find signing him as a free agent an attractive proposition,' he addd. 'Forget about the salary, I'm sure Paul is ready to find a compromise on that as he wants to play football again after such a long time on the sidelines.
'When I think about Pogba, there are more positives with signing him than there are negatives, and I think he's a player that should interest Manchester United in January.
'All the top clubs in the Premier League should see signing Pogba on a free transfer as an amazing opportunity. That's how I see it.'
Pogba is thought to be a target for Premier League clubs after his Juventus contract termination
He joined the Red Devils in 2016 for a world-record £89m fee but failed to meet expectations
Pogba recently made an appearance on a stream with influencer IShowSpeed
Last month it was reported that clubs from the MLS, Saudi Arabia, and the Premier League are among those showing interest in giving him a platform for a comeback.
Juventus reportedly engaged in early discussions with representatives from Marseille, including sporting director and former defender Medhi Benatia. Official negotiations are not believed to have started yet.
The 31-year-old's career looked to be finished after he was slapped with a four-year ban in February but October's reprieve handed him a second chance.
The suspension, which began in September 2023, will now end next March, with the midfielder able to train from January.
In the CAS' final judgement it was confirmed that Pogba did inadvertently take DHEA, a substance that boosts testosterone that is on WADA's banned list. Crucially, however, the ruling states that DHEA only has an affect on females.
Pogba's appeal took place at the CAS' HQ in Switzerland at the end of August but the player was only informed of the verdict weeks later.
The French World Cup winner later released a statement in which he celebrated the end of 'the nightmare'.