Wayne Rooney is one of very few current Manchester United players to have shared a pitch with Paul Pogba during the Frenchman’s first spell at the club.
But the captain remembers Pogba very vividly, and is excited by the prospect of the midfielder returning in a potential record-breaking deal.
The transfer saga has gone on for most of the summer, but Rooney seems excited by the idea of being reunited with a player who “would just hurt you”, even in training.
“You didn’t even need to get into a tackle. Just go next to him and you’d find an elbow or some other sharp bit,” Rooney told the Daily Mail.
“So, if he comes, I’m looking forward to that again!Â
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Pogba only made seven senior appearances for United before leaving for Juventus in 2012, but has gone on to star for the Italian giants.
A transfer back to Old Trafford seems imminent, with a fee of just under £100m cited in numerous reports, but is yet to be confirmed.
“He had great ability, some of the things he could do, and he’s gone up a level since he left us,” Rooney added.
“I hope he is going to want to return to United and prove he’s a top-class player. If he is excited to play for us, we’ll be excited to have him back.Â
I’m sure he’ll feel there is unfinished business, and it would be a very big statement by the club if they can make it happen.”
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