When Paul Pogba left Juventus to return to his former club, Manchester United, expectations were understandably high.
The Frenchman, who left the reigning Serie A champions for a world-record fee of £89m, has become a global superstar since leaving Old Trafford in 2012 and turned into one of the best midfielders in world football. After a slightly rocky start, in which Jose Mourinho was still finding his feet as the club’s new manager and Pogba was readjusting to life at United, the 23-year old has become a key part of his manager’s plans. Speaking to SFR Sport via TeamTalk, Pogba suggests that a lack of pre-season didn’t help his reintegration:
“With the team, it’s going much better. I think we have built understanding with each other. We win once, we win twice, we change one, two players, the matches keep coming, but we’re in better form. I’m in a lot better shape, too, because I didn’t have a pre-season like everyone else, I arrived later.”
Off the back of Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool, arguably Pogba’s worst performance in a red shirt so far, it’s worth remembering things like this. He’s a 23-year old, being asked to become a leader and pivotal force in a team that is improving, but still in transition. Pogba had an off game on Sunday, but if recent experience has taught us anything, he’ll return stronger, and be ready to make a difference when United next take to the field.
