Inside Pogba’s decline – from Man Utd’s costliest star to doping violation
Paul Pogba’s return to Manchester United was a second in time for the Red Devils.
The Frenchman, now 30, was hailed as a returning hero after leaving Old Trafford to search out his ft at Juventus. Pogba smashed the Premier League document for his switch charge – and, to this present day, he stays United’s costliest participant in historical past.
However, six years after the fanfare of his all-conquering return, Pogba left with out a lot of a whimper. The Frenchman silently left on a free switch, again to Turin, the place he may need performed out the ultimate video games of his footballing profession.
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“Sometimes,” Pogba stated final summer season, “I don’t want to have money any more. I just don’t want to play any more. I just want to be with normal people, so they will love me for me – not for the fame, not for the money. Sometimes it’s tough.”
The following day, throughout an innocuous Serie A conflict with perennial mid-table facet Udinese, Pogba would offer a optimistic check for elevated ranges of testosterone.
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(Image: Getty Images)
It virtually appears unusual that the turning level in Pogba’s profession began when Jose Mourinho introduced to the Old Trafford crowd they’d agreed a deal to re-sign Pogba. He was 23, on the time, had received 4 Serie A titles and was named younger participant of the event on the 2014 World Cup.
Pogba’s issues at United began virtually immediately. Mourinho could not determine the right way to use the Frenchman – he was wasted too deep, was usually misplaced going box-to-box, and did not fairly have the technical talents to play as a No.10.
At Old Trafford, managers got here and went – and so too did midfield companions, every hoping to “unlock” the Frenchmen with the supreme skills.
(Image: PA)
United followers rapidly appeared on in envy on the French nationwide group, the place Pogba usually appeared unplayable. He was a centre-piece as they conquered the world in Russia, however rapidly rescinded into his shell when again in Manchester.
Then, three years into his spell, the accidents began. A persistent ankle downside curtailed his 2019/20 season, there was the additionally the hamstring struggles in 2021 after which knee surgical procedure in 2022. Since the summer season of 2019, Pogba has solely began 51 league video games.
Pogba resembled increasingly a conceit mission gone fallacious for the Red Devils. And his keep at United was virtually summed up in a single efficiency in opposition to Liverpool in October 2021.
The Frenchman was launched by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at half-time, however he lasted simply quarter-hour after he noticed pink for a horror problem on Liverpool midfielder Naby Kieta.
Pogba could possibly be seen smiling as referee Anthony Taylor flashed the pink card – United went onto lose the sport in opposition to their largest rivals 5-0.
He virtually snuck out the backdoor at Old Trafford the next summer season – leaving Manchester on a free for the second time in his profession. A decade beforehand, Pogba had reignited his profession in Turin, nevertheless, that would not occur a second time.
(Image: Getty Images)
Pogba struggled with accidents throughout his first season again on the Old Lady. There have been off the sector points too, Pogba’s brother, Mathias, launched a video accusing him of hiring a marabout, a west African holy man, to position a curse on Kylian Mbappe.
The Frenchman acknowledged he had consulted a marabout, however just for assist along with his continuous accidents. He stated: “Money changes people. It can break up a family. It can create a war.”
Pogba was returning to full health when he examined optimistic – and, once more, the Frenchman finds himself at a crossroads.
(Image: DeFodi Images by way of Getty Images)
Pogba shall be 34-years-old when his ban expires in 2028 – a profession in skilled soccer following his ban appears unlikely.
“Football is very beautiful, but it’s cruel,” Pogba admitted final summer season. “People can overlook you. You can do one thing nice; the following day, you’re no one.”
