Paul Pogba reveals why he was a Man Utd flop

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:46 CDT
• 3 min read

Paul Pogba has returned to Juventus on a free transfer from Manchester United, and the French World Cup winner has revealed why things didn't work out for him at Old Trafford.

Pogba's relationship with Manchester United will go down as a strange one at best. He graduated from their academy in 2011, left on a free for Juventus in 2012, returned in 2016 for a then-world record €110 million, and now heads back to Turin after failing to hit the heights that were hoped for.

Part of the side that did a minor trophy double in winning the Europa League and EFL Cup under Jose Mourinho in 2017, Pogba's trophy cabinet continued to swell on a personal level thanks to his 2018 World Cup win with France, but no more silverware followed for United.

Re-signed as one of the most potent attacking midfielders in the game, Pogba's return of 39 goals and 51 assists 226 games in his second spell with United fell some way short of what the Red Devils were hoping to see.

Speaking to assorted media at his unveiling in Turin, Pogba reflected on his time at United.

Another Paul Pogba

"I'm happy with all the choices I made," he said. "That's life, sometimes you have to make choices that don't work as you expected. I'm happy about my years in Manchester, with the years I spent at United. I grew up, I learnt a lot and I became a man. I don't think I made a mistake. Who knows, had I won, choice could have been different, but now I'm here at Juve and I'm very happy about it.

"It was a bit of everything. Coach, team, change of roles. These things blocked me a little. Now it's another Paul. another Pogba and hopefully I won't have many injuries. I'll feel well and play in my role, doing better than the last seasons."

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Pogba may not have Andre Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio doing some midfield dirty work for him at Juventus this time around, but he will at least have midfield runners like Manuel Locatelli and Weston McKennie for company.

Pogba could make his second Juventus debut in the USA this summer, with the Old Lady set to take on Guadalajara, Barcelona and Real Madrid in pre-season.