Paul Pogba had his pick of destinations in the summer.
Having shone for Juventus for four seasons, Pogba was one of the hottest properties in all of Europe and his enigmatic personality, combined with his flashy tricks and ability to impact games, left clubs opening their chequebooks in order to secure the Frenchman’s services.
Manchester United, Pogba’s former side, were always going to be front-runners given the fact that the midfielder knew the club and that the Red Devils were undergoing a big money makeover with Jose Mourinho coming on board as manager and Zlatan Ibrahimovic agreeing to lead the line for a season or two.
Home. #POGBACK pic.twitter.com/N0irgKbuv5
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 8, 2016
But it was never a foregone conclusion that the 23-year-old was going to return to Old Trafford as two of the most tantalising clubs in the world were ready to splash out on the playmaker too.
Pogba has revealed the pair of European powerhouses who were in the market for his signature and it’s easy to see how it would have taken some serious consideration from the player before he committed to a United reunion.
“I came to Manchester United because I have certain goals. It is a big challenge for me,” Pogba told SFR Sport, via FourFourTwo.
“I could also have joined Real Madrid or Barcelona, who were interested in signing me. But I chose to return to United because I followed my heart.
“I want to win trophies with Manchester United, I never won anything here. I always told myself that I would one day return to United. It is a club I love a lot and I had unfinished business here. I left because I wanted to play more, but I felt that I was not done here yet.
“I am not even thinking about the transfer fee. I came here to play football.”
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