Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is set to become a free agent after mutually agreeing to terminate his contract with Juventus, per Fabrizio Romano. The Frenchman has been out of action since September 2023 amid a lengthy doping ban.
Pogba, 31, returned to Juve after leaving United in the summer of 2022 when his contract expired. He was a polarizing figure during his second spell at Old Trafford with many questioning his mentality and some argue he failed to reach expectations.
Manchester United broke the world transfer record in August 2016 to re-sign Pogba for £89 million. There are some fans who would love to see the 2018 World Cup winner return but it's not an idea that INEOS should take on board.
Manchester United must resist re-signing Paul Pogba
Pogba's larger-than-life personality made him a hit with some sections of the Old Trafford faithful. When he was on top form he was one of Europe's most formidable midfielders, with his slick ball-playing abilities, strength and creativity.
The 91-cap France international posted 39 goals and 51 assists in 226 games including a memorable brace in a 3-2 comeback win against Manchester City. His departure was somewhat unceremonious as he recieved boos in the Red Devils' 3-2 win against Norwich City.
That was the story of Pogba's United career with issues constantly taking hold. He ran into many injury issues that made him unreliable. He also had his fair share of run ins with managers including Jose Mourinho he famously clashed with in a viral training session argument.
Pogba is a gem of a footballer when at his pomp but it was a rarity and any fan wishing to see him back in United colors shouldn't get ahead of themselves. He comes with mounting problems that would disrupt the start of the Ruben Amorim era.
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In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports' Chief Reporter Kaveh Solhekol, Paul Pogba opens up on his ban from football. pic.twitter.com/k9DhwIf0xu
Pogba wants to play for a FIFA Club World Cup competing club
Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol reports that Pogba has been training in Miami to get himself back in top notch condition upon a potential return to action. His ban ends in March 2025 and he's open to joining a club playing in the revamped FIFA Club World Cup which kicks off in June.
That means the former United man could join one of Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, PSG, Inter Milan, Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg or Inter Miami. He'll be a free agent meaning none of those clubs will have to pay a fee.
Would Pogba suit Ruben Amorim?
Amorim's reign will be well underway by the time Pogba is back and Manchester United fans might ponder whether he'd fit the club's new head coach's brand of football. He could be used as one of the two midfielders in his possessional-based 3-4-3 formation akin to Morten Hjulmand who controlled the middle of the park for Sporting CP during the Portuguese's tenure.
Manuel Ugarte looks to be a certainty to be a regular fixture in Amorim's midfield as he previously coached the Uruguayan at Sporting. He'll want a box-to-box midfielder to sit alongside Ugarte and there isn't a better option to take up that role than the Reds' youthful ball-carrying wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo.
If Pogba were to be signed it would only stunt Mainoo's development regardless of the possibility of Mainoo learning from the experienced Frenchman. The club should prioritize signing a new left-back and possibly a new striker who can help attend to the glaring lack of goals this season.