Following his return to Italian giants Juventus, Paul Pogba has opened up on his turbulent time at Manchester United.
The French midfielder re-joined Juventus on a free transfer this week after his contract with the Reds expired at the end of June.
The World Cup winner moved to Manchester from Turin in 2016 for a then-world record £89 million as a four-time Serie A winner.
This is not the first time Pogba has joined Juventus for free. The Italian side snapped up the midfielder back in 2012 following his rise through United’s academy system.
But now, ten years later, he is back at the club where he played his best football.
‘Pogback’ again
It was announced on Monday that Pogba had returned to Turin, signing a four-year deal with the Italian club.
The Frenchman will reportedly earn 8 million euros (£6.8 million) per season with Massimiliano Allegri’s side, roughly £131,000 per week.
This is a significant pay cut from the wages of £290,000 per week that he was raking in at Old Trafford.
It has been rumoured that Pogba was waiting for an offer from Barcelona, Real Madrid or PSG following his United exit, but none arrived.
Pogba’s time at Manchester United
Paul Pogba endured a turbulent time at Manchester United. His brilliance was evident, but consistency proved to be the Frenchman’s biggest downfall.
Now, the 29-year-old is openly reflecting on his time with the Reds. Following his move to Juventus, he said: “I’m happy with the choices I’ve made in my life. Sometimes you make choices that don’t go your way, but I’m happy with the years in Manchester.
“I grew up, I learned, I became a man.”
Pogba won the EFL Cup and Europa League with United, but a Premier League title eluded him. He also played for a host of managers during his time at Old Trafford, such as Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Mourinho and Pogba famously had a fractured relationship, while Solskjaer utilised the midfielder in several different positions during his tenure as manager.
What ‘blocked’ Pogba?
The 29-year-old believes that the changing landscape at Man United hampered his opportunities to grow, along with his own injury concerns.
Reflecting on his difficulties at the Reds, Pogba said:
“Changing [Manchester United] coach every year is hard – this was a difficult aspect for me
“Then there were a few injuries, but I think it was also a mental thing – playing and not playing makes you lose pace.
“There is a bit of everything: coach, team, position. All this has blocked me a bit.”
He added that he is determined to rediscover the form of his previous Juventus spell. Then, Pogba was one of the most sought-after talents in world football.
“Now, however, I have left, and you will see another Paul,” he said. “I can do better than in recent years.”
Featured image credit: Getty