All the latest Manchester United news as Paul Pogba closes in on a long-awaited return.
Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba pictured together for Manchester United in 2021.
Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba pictured together for Manchester United in 2021.
(Image: Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Jesse Lingard has fired Paul Pogba a message ahead of a proposed return to professional football. The former Manchester United midfielder was provisionally suspended in September 2023 after a random drug test found increased levels of testosterone in his system.
Pogba was then given a four-year ban in February 2024. The France international appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and his sanction was reduced to 18 months, making him eligible to return to first-team training in January.
Before the 32-year-old could lace up his boots and play competitively again, Juventus terminated his contract, which wasn't set to expire until June 2026. Pogba has been a free agent ever since then, but he appears to have finally found himself a new club.
According to ESPN and Le Parisien, the Frenchman will join AS Monaco this summer. The report adds that Pogba has verbally agreed to sign a two-year contract with the Ligue 1 outfit after turning down a lucrative offer from an unnamed team in the Saudi Pro League.
Pogba teased his return to action on social media earlier this week. On Monday, he uploaded a handful of pictures from a private training session with Amir Richardson, a midfielder for Fiorentina, and Tyreek Hill, a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, among others, too.
"I think it's time," wrote Pogba under the post, which has since eclipsed 1.3million likes. Among the thousands of comments from supporters, Jesse Lingard fuelled speculation of a move to Monaco and said: "Hurry up, we ready my bro."
While Pogba has been linked with a return to football, he's remained coy on the matter, at least publicly. Speaking on Sergio Aguero's podcast, La Casa del Kun, the former United star provided an update on his future.
Paul Pogba (right) could finally make his return to action this summer.
Paul Pogba (right) could finally make his return to action this summer.
"I haven't signed anything, but there's interest. We'll see," said Pogba. "In life, you never know. I loved the people who went to see Boca's match [at the Club World Cup], it's crazy because I went to Marseille, which is hot, Naples is hot, but Boca... I've never seen that in my life."
Then, in an interview with French television channel TF1, Pogba opened up about how he was treated by Juventus before being released. He said: "I asked Juventus for help, but I wasn't given it.
"I asked to get a fitness coach. I had the right, and I was always part of the team. They weren't very kind to me, and they did not support me, and I was shocked. I did not understand why.
Footballer Paul Pogba and his wife, Zulay Pogba, at Pathe Palace.
Footballer Paul Pogba and his wife, Zulay Pogba, at Pathe Palace.(Image: Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
"I thought I was at war with anti-doping authorities, not Juventus. I couldn't keep taking my kids to school every day, passing by the stadium and the training centre, and knowing I wouldn't be able to play for a long time.
"My kids kept asking me when I'd be back on the pitch and when they could watch me at the stadium again."
Pogba added: "I'm mentally and physically ready, and I'm eager to start again. I'm 32, but I still feel like a young kid."