Paul Pogba looks on prior to the Serie A match between Juventus and AC Monza.
Paul Pogba has been linked with a third spell at Manchester United.
Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown has roundly dismissed the possibility of Paul Pogba making a sensational return to Old Trafford for a third stint. Having been sidelined from action since September 2023 following a four-year ban which was reduced to 18 months due to a failed drugs test, Pogba is set to become eligible to train with a potential new club come January, though he won't be cleared for competitive matches until March.
Despite United being among the clubs touted as a potential destination for the 31-year-old World Cup winner, Brown, who witnessed Pogba's rise to prominence at United under Sir Alex Ferguson, was unequivocal in his assessment during an interview with 10bet, via the Mirror: "I'm not sure about Paul Pogba coming back to United for a third time," he said.
"I can't see it happening. Paul, obviously, as an individual player, he's absolutely class. I've always loved how he played. Again, he gets a lot of stick, but there is no doubting his ability as an individual.
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"Being out for 18 months will be tough for him – it will take him some time to get back to the levels we've seen him produce before. I know he'll be training somewhere, but it's a bit different training in isolation, not being around world-class players."
"Someone will definitely pick him up, no doubt about it, but I can't see it's going to be Man United if I'm being honest."
It comes after former United forward Louis Saha claimed he was told Pogba might get the chance to return to Carrington in the near future. Speaking to Casino Utan Spelpaus, Saha said: "I've heard some rumours that Paul Pogba will be offered the opportunity to come back and train with 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."
Pogba initially left United in 2012, moving to Juventus after declining a new contract citing insufficient first-team opportunities as his reason. Former United manager Ferguson accused Pogba of disrespecting the club and alleged that the player and his agent had been planning the move to Juventus for some time.
Pogba made a return to United in 2016 under Jose Mourinho, for a record-breaking fee of £89million, but struggled to justify this hefty price tag and subsequently departed in 2022, re-joining Juventus on a free transfer when his contract expired. In September 2023, Pogba was temporarily suspended from playing due to a failed doping test.
A second sample tested in October 2023 confirmed the initial test results and Pogba received a four-year ban. However, last October, Pogba's ban was reduced to 18 months, enabling him to start training next month and return to competitive play in March.
Pogba's contract with Juventus was mutually terminated on November 30.
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