
Manchester United
Premier League • England
Juventus officially welcome back ‘world-class talent’ Paul Pogba, who returns from Man Utd as a ‘champion’

Paul Pogba has officially completed his return to Juventus on a free transfer after the end of his contract with Manchester United.
Pogba reached the end of his time as a Manchester United player at the end of last month. Despite returning to the club as a world-record signing at the time in 2016, the Frenchman struggled to win everyone over at Old Trafford.
Indeed, many felt that despite Pogba’s occasional brilliance, he had shown better versions of himself for the French national team and his former employers, Juventus.
Now, Juventus are going to benefit from Pogba’s talents again. They have announced their acquisition of the midfielder on a free transfer. It represents the second time Manchester United have released him and the Serie A side have taken him.
The 2018 World Cup winner will be hoping to rekindle his best form in Italy. During his previous spell in Turin, Pogba contributed 34 goals and 40 assists from 177 games. He will now get the chance to add to his tallies for the Bianconeri.
Within their announcement of his return, Juventus describe Pogba as someone who was already a “world-class talent” by the time he left them six years ago.
Pogba “returns as a man and a champion”, the statement claims, despite the 29-year-old only winning two trophies with Man Utd. They both came in his first season back at Old Trafford, in 2016-17.
Still, he won four consecutive Serie A titles during his first Juventus spell, as well as four other domestic trophies. Last season was the first since 2010-11 in which Juve failed to win an honour. Therefore, they will be hoping their reunion can bring the best out of both club and player again.
Pogba has signed a contract until 2026 with Juventus. Just like in the last season of his previous spell with the club, he will wear the number 10 shirt; it was recently vacated by free agent Paulo Dybala.
Paul Pogba can pick up where he left off at Juventus
All eyes will now be on Pogba to see if he can be more consistent than he was in Manchester. Given how his last spell with Juventus went, there is every reason to believe he can.
Their midfield has been a weak spot ever since he departed in 2016, one year after they also waved off Andrea Pirlo.
Juventus have been working on that area of their team in recent months. For example, they signed Manuel Locatelli last summer and Denis Zakaria in January.
Also at their disposal in that position are the likes of Arthur Melo, Aaron Ramsey, Weston McKennie and Adrien Rabiot. But those players have not really convinced and could now be pushed away.
In turn, Pogba will be the star man for Juventus. He will reunite with coach Massimiliano Allegri, under whom he contributed 20 goals and 24 assists before.
After consecutive fourth-place finishes in Serie A, the Old Lady will now be hoping to improve after reuniting with one of their best players of the past decade.