Paul Pogba split opinion throughout his time at Manchester United, but there can’t be many who now feel they saw the best of the midfielder at Old Trafford.
United confirmed on Wednesday what many had already known for some time as they announced Pogba would be leaving the club for a second time this summer. The 29-year-old will officially exit when his contract expires at the end of the month.
Pogba’s departure brings an end to a United career that failed to deliver on the promise many had expected when he made his return from Juventus back in 2016. The midfielder is now expected to make his way back to Turin this summer.
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The France international has shown glimpses of his talent at various stages of his career, in particular when in action with his national side. Unfortunately for United fans, they didn’t see that same talent often enough at Old Trafford.
Pogba’s time at United left those supporters continually frustrated, and his time with the club can be perhaps summed up by the less-than-positive reception he received in his final outing at Old Trafford. It’s a far cry from what former United greats Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand predicted when Pogba made his return six years ago.
Speaking to The Times, Neville said: “It excites me because for the last three or four years, the Premier League hasn't been exciting enough. Not that it hasn't excited me, but the quality of the football hasn't been of the highest level.
“I think the quality has been poor. For all the money that has been spent, we've not been able to keep Grade A players or incentivise them to come here in the first place.
“I feel that, for the first time in a few years, a potential world-class player, who could have gone to Barcelona or Real Madrid, is coming to an English club. That's good for the league." Ferdinand, meanwhile, told the BBC (via the Express ): "Paul is a huge talent and someone with the personality to handle that price tag.
"Paul's character means he will deal with being such a big investment, so that won't be a problem. He will relish the responsibility on his shoulders of bringing medals and trophies to the club. That won't faze him at all.
"It was a mistake to let him leave but bringing him back is a statement of intent. He is going to be a top player for years to come and he will make a big difference to United's title chances."
Pogba arguably did make a big difference to United’s title chances, but perhaps not in the manner many had hoped. With his time at Old Trafford now over, fans and pundits alike are left to reflect on what could have been, and the potential that went unfulfilled.
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