Since Paul Pogba’s name started returning to the lip of the footballing world, he has been linked with a sensational return to his former club, Manchester United.
Paul Pogba left Manchester United in 2022 after his six-year contract expired. His return to Old Trafford in 2016 for a world-record fee of £89 million from Juventus made headlines, as he became the most expensive player in football history at the time.
The French midfielder had a strong start, helping United win the League Cup and Europa League in his first season under José Mourinho. However, his relationship with Mourinho deteriorated in later years, impacting his performances and creating tension within the squad.
Read More: Owen Hargreaves left stunned by Ruben Amorim mistake, Man Utd boss instantly responds
Under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Pogba found a new lease on life, showcasing flashes of his immense talent. Unfortunately, persistent injuries during the final years of his United spell limited his ability to make a consistent impact.
Despite his moments of brilliance, Pogba’s time at United was often overshadowed by criticism and controversy. Many questioned his commitment, while others argued that the record-breaking fee placed him under an unfair level of scrutiny.
After rejoining Juventus, Pogba faced another major setback. He was handed a four-year ban for doping after taking supplements containing banned substances. Earlier this year, the ban was reduced to 18 months, but his contract with Juventus was terminated. Now, Pogba is seeking a fresh start as he looks for a new club to reignite his career.
A return to United
Pogba has previously explained that he still has a lot of love for United despite the tense way he departed the club in 2022.
Speaking in recent days, former United striker Louis Saha was asked about his French compatriot’s next steps, to which he explained he has heard rumours that Pogba may be offered a Carrington return, and that it would be a fantastic move for all involved.
“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.”
The 46-year-old then added: “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.
“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.”
Whether Saha’s speculation is derived from public rumours or something he heard privately, he has failed to clarify, but either way, Pogba is looking for a route to the 2026 World Cup, and United may be his best shot.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is released every Wednesday at 6 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.