The Kinds of Kindness photocall in Milan
French footballer Paul Pogba (Picture: Getty)
Louis Saha has sensationally claimed that Paul Pogba could return to Manchester United in January to take part in training ahead of his return from a doping ban.
Pogba, 31, is desperate to get his career back on track after his four-year ban for doping offences was reduced to 18 months following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The French World Cup winner will be free to resume training from January 2025 and is eligible to play again in March.
But Pogba will not be resuming his career with Juventus, where he returned in the summer of 2022, after both parties agreed to terminate his contract at the end of November.
The midfielder is not expected to be short of offers, with top European clubs as well as sides in the MLS and Saudia Arabia reportedly interested in agreeing a deal.
Pogba will have to prove his fitness having last played a competitive fixture in September 2023 but his fellow countryman Saha believes that United are ready to offer him a lifeline in the New Year.
‘I’ve heard some rumours that Paul Pogba will be offered the opportunity to come back and train with Man Utd in the New Year, and I think that would be a great opportunity for Paul,’ Saha told Casino Utan Spelpaus.
Manchester United Training Session
Paul Pogba last played for Manchester United in 2022 (Picture: Getty)
‘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.’
And Saha has urged the club to go one step further and look to sign the midfielder permanently for his third stint at the club.
‘I think that Paul Pogba is still a very special player,’ he added. ‘When you think about midfielders, Pogba has unique qualities.
Manchester United FC v Everton FC - Premier League
Former United striker Louis Saha (Picture: Getty)
‘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 because he’s a different profile of player to what United have.’
Having just brought in new boss Ruben Amorim, United may be looking for a new start rather than old faces, but Saha is confident that other Premier League clubs will look to sign Pogba should United not make a move.
‘When I look at Pogba, I think that many teams in the Premier League would find signing him as a free agent an attractive proposition,’ he said.
‘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.’
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