“I don't think about Manchester United any more. I have no regrets about leaving Manchester, none at all.” In 2012, a young Paul Pogba was clearly unhappy at the irreparable state of his relationship with Manchester United. 4 years later, time is a great healer they say, and Pogba has moved on, only to return as the world’s most expensive footballer, Manchester United paid a staggering 89 million GBP.
Whether he likes it or not or accepts it or not, ignoring the inflated transfer market will bring this honeymoon to an abrupt halt.
The Telescope is in Focus
The summer gone by has been witness to a high intensity transfer activity, at least at Old Trafford. The master tactician Jose Mourinho will leave no stone unturned in his quest to silence his detractors. Alongside, is his old pal Zlatan Ibrahimovic, both are well akin to the spotlight. But for Paul Pogba, such a strong glare isn’t run of the mill.
“I came to finish what I started,' that’s what Paul Pogba told MUTV on his return. The statement will echo over even the loudest cheer at the Theatre of Dreams; words like these win over the fans. But the costliest player on the planet now will need much more to reach the upper echelons of the beautiful game.
At Juventus, Pogba was the apt foil for Andrea Pirlo, and in 4 years, the Frenchman became a crucial part of the 8 trophy winning campaigns where he played a 178 times and scored 38 goals. Not only was there a UEFA Champions League runners up medal in the collection there was a runners up medal from the 2016 European Championships in the closet too. Forcing his agent Mino Raiola to put him on the same pedestal as the legendary Leonardo da Vinci’s painting Mona Lisa. Muted aggression and technical talent are his best companions, and this is a threesome that only threatens more silverware, at 23, his best years are surely yet to come.
Once serious business commences, he will be eager to remind his detractors in England, what they missed out on for 4 years, Pirlo’s partner in crime will have to be aware of the bubble that has been built around him. Just like Mourinho is aware of his muted arrogance and has surely hatched a plot to channelise that, just like he did with Zlatan at Inter Milan.
He drove in for his medical in a Chevrolet Camaro, clearly there is a penchant for flair. This isn’t a step up as yet for Pogba, and making it that is his challenge, it is the perfect springboard as he aims to justify the compliments of legends like Zinedine Zidane.
The Red Devils breathe easy
Manchester United have had Pogba in their sights since 2013, right after Sir Alex left, he refused to do business with Mino Raiola, but under Ed Woodward’s tutelage the balance sheets have a confident outlook.
Woodward who has been bullied in the market recently needed this transfer; a man who still had his best days ahead of him. In the space of one season, the coffers will definitely reap the benefits of a move of such magnitude through commercial aspects.
But that’s not all, if that reeks of a smart deal, here’s the clincher; 4 years from today, Paul Pogba will be one of the most wanted, and no one wants to let go of the best, just look at the contracts of Neymar and Lionel Messi, rest assure Woodward hasn’t missed a chance to make use the inflated state of the market.
Lineage matters
The likes of Sir Matt Busby, Sir Bobby Charlton and more recently Sir Alex Ferguson have all steered the Manchester United ship out of troubled waters, it is in the lineage; the same dna that Pogba possesses, and the best in modern day football is in his dugout as he attempts to pay homage to the traditions of the Sir Matt Busby Way.
20 years ago, Newcastle United broke the world record transfer fee for Alan Shearer; they have more than a good memory now at St James’ Park. This is the first time since then that an English club has broken the bank in the transfer market and one cannot but expect similar results.
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