Even at Manchester United, it is not every day a teenager rises through the ranks to earn ‘world-class’ billing before his 20th birthday.
The 13-time Premier League champions are perhaps the most renowned developers of young talent in the country.
A reputation they earned during the ‘Fergie Fledgings’ era. And one they are now desperate to reclaim Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s watch.
The sight of Ten Hag’s tots – Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo – scoring in last season’s FA Cup final triumph was certainly justification for the faith the Dutchman has placed in Manchester United’s next generation.
Toby Collyer has impressed Man United boss Ten Hag, and looks to be perhaps the next Carrington graduate to make the breakthrough.
But ‘world-class’? Maybe at some point, maybe very soon indeed. But not quite yet.
Garnacho, as emphasised by Saturday’s frustrating 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace, remains somewhat hit-and-miss even if his end-product continues to improve seemingly by the month.
Mainoo, while remarkably gifted and supremely composed, is yet to develop a knack of controlling games like the finest midfielders on the planet.
But for Mauro Bianchessi, formerly the chief scout of AC Milan chief, he has no qualms using that phrase ‘world-class’ to describe a 19-year-old Paul Pogba shortly before his protracted and contentious departure from Man United back in 2012.
Manchester United lost Paul Pogba to Juventus despite AC Milan interest
Pogba would swap the Red Devils for Juventus 12 years ago, legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson and agent Mino Raiola butting heads like two alpha stags desperate to defend their territory.
But Juventus, who would eventually win the race, were not the only Italian giant interested at the time.
Bianchessi explains that he had been tasked by AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani to bring in a future superstar who would not break the bank. And Pogba, his contract at Old Trafford expiring, ticked just about every box.
“One day, Galliani called me into the office and said; ‘find a champion who doesn’t cost much for the first team’,” Bianchessi recalls, speaking to LaPresse.
“I went around Europe for three weeks. I came back to him and said; ‘There’s this guy in Manchester who doesn’t play. He plays in the second team and out of position. And, for me, he’s a great champion’.
“I still have the report. It ended with; ‘He’s a world-class player’.”
So why did Pogba – Andreas Pereira’s greatest ever United team-mate – end up at the Allianz Stadium rather than the iconic San Siro?
Well, it appears that – like Ferguson – Bianchessi may not have seen see eye-to-eye with the late Raiola either.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Mino Raiola role explains why Milan switch didn’t happen
“The agent was Mino Raiola, the player was Paul Pogba,” the now-Monza chief Bianchessi explains, Juve eventually stumping up a package the region of £4 million. “Unfortunately, at that time nothing was done. There was a bit of a protest because too much money was given to the agents.
“Eight months later, Juventus signed him for five million [euros], under the conditions that Raiola had told us.
“Before [Juve], there was us.”
Pogba, his Manchester United homecoming labelled a ‘mistake’ by former Juventus team-mate Claudio Marchisio, then returned for a second spell in Turin when his Red Devils contract ran down for a second time.
Now aged 31, a career which began with such promise albeit with no shortage of controversy could be about to end in drama and recriminations.
Pogba seemingly ruled out retirement in an intriguing Instagram post a few days ago. But, handed a four-year ban after breaching doping rules, the chances of the World Cup winner ever gracing the biggest stages of European football again feel slim.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
