Paul Pogba is now available to sign as a free agent after his doping ban was lifted, leaving two ex-Manchester United team-mates disagreeing about his potential Red Devils return
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba is available as a free agent after completing his 18-month ban
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Image: Getty Images)
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Two ex-Manchester United team-mates completely disagree on whether the club should re-sign Paul Pogba as a free agent.
Pogba, who's already had two spells at Old Trafford, has been without a club since his Juventus contract was ripped up in November. Now 32, the Frenchman is able to return to the pitch after carrying out his doping ban, which was originally four years but cut down to 18 months after an appeal, where he was found to have taken the prohibited substance DHEA "unintentionally".
With the former World Cup winner eligible to play again, he is currently training in Miami, though he hasn't yet committed to any team. Reports have suggested that Marseille and Fiorentina passed up the opportunity to snap him up, leading United icon Rio Ferdinand to call on Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim to offer Pogba a trial.
Louis Saha, one of Ferdinand's former team-mates, is all for United welcoming his compatriot Pogba back for a third time, as he is convinced the World Cup winner still has lots to contribute to the faltering Premier League giants.
"I would take Paul Pogba back at Manchester United in a heartbeat,” Saha told Best Betting Sites. “It's not only because of the squad that we have now with injuries and all that, but for all the elements that he brings as a player.
"We need guarantees, we need quality, we need confidence, we need leadership, and this guy now has an opportunity to show how much he wants it. Pogba can show he has the ability to be one of the best in the league in this position, especially with the motivation and the focus that he has to understand where he can improve and what parts of his game he needs to adapt.
"It's an opportunity to sign someone who is highly motivated. He's going to obviously still have huge confidence about his ability. I'm sure that when he looks at this midfield at United, he has a different type of vibe in his game. So definitely it's an easy fit... I’m sure Pogba wants the visibility.
“He wants to go back to the French team as soon as possible, so he just needs to pick the right project. For him to get back into the national team, he needs to show that he can still do it at the top level.
Paul Pogba
Manchester United legends disagree over whether the club should re-sign Paul Pogba
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Image:
PA)
“United would be signing a player that is completely dedicated and focussed on achieving his goals, because he’s been out of the game for so long. I'm sure that the most important thing for Pogba would be to show Amorim and the Manchester United fans that he is still one of the best players in the world."
French national team manager Didier Deschamps, under whom Pogba won the World Cup in 2018, recently admitted he has held talks with the midfielder. Deschamps also hinted that he would welcome Pogba re-joining the national team set-up if he can showcase his fitness and form at the top level —something a United return could allow.
Yet, another of Saha’s former France and United team-mates, Mikael Silvestre, isn't keen on the Red Devils taking a gamble on Pogba. The ex-defender, who spent nine years at Old Trafford playing for Sir Alex Ferguson, expressed worries over Pogba's physical and mental readiness after a lengthy period off the pitch.
Silvestre echoed two major problems regarding Pogba’ return, citing how expensive it would be to get him on the books again, as well as his past injuries. Both are issues Amorim knows all too well already, having been warned by club bosses that funds could be limited this summer, while also losing several key players to injury already this season.
Paul Pogba pictured in 2024
Pogba has attended multiple MLS games in recent months
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Image:
Getty Images)
Silvestre told yaysweepstakes.com: “No, I wouldn’t be tempted to sign Paul Pogba on a free transfer if I was Manchester United. I like Paul a lot but I wouldn't because it's going to be expensive and you don't know physically how long it’s going to take him to get up to match fitness.
“Even though he’s been out of the game for 18 months, before his ban, he wasn’t really playing that much at Juventus. He’s had a couple of injuries. It's too big of a risk (to sign Pogba).
“If you were signing him and he was in peak fitness, he had been playing regular football, with a perfect body and mind, then it would be a no brainer, but, after what he's been through as well, it's extremely difficult for him. I wouldn't be in favour of Manchester United bringing him back to the club again.”
Pogba was seen at Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Austin on his birthday on Saturday. LAFC's official X account posted videos of him in attendance both during and after the match.
He first caught up with his former France team-mate Oliver Giroud. Another video showed him chatting with another fellow World Cup winner, Hugo Lloris, and having a conversation with both him and Giroud.
Pogba's appearance at the game, coupled with his training in Miami, has sparked rumours about a potential move to the MLS. LAFC, LA Galaxy and Inter Miami have all been previously linked with the one-time Golden Boy recipient.
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