Manchester United will soon run out of money with some holes in the squad yet to be filled, while a World Cup winner is available on a free transfer with a clear path to signing him.
It all makes sense. After all, it is why it’s been argued that Man Utd need to try harder for Jonathan David, another free transfer who can fill the striker spot.
However, no two free transfers are the same, even if the player in question is a World Cup winner who has achieved nearly everything in football.
After all, he would undo everything positive built under Ruben Amorim so far by signing, regardless of the fee involved.
Man Utd know about Paul Pogba’s availability
Paul Pogba occupies a soft spot in many Man Utd fans‘ hearts, and he will do so forever because of his nonchalant brilliance.
The pinch of star dust he brought to the more clinical Man Utd XI since Sir Alex Ferguson retired is still remembered fondly by many.
Pogba is now free to return to competitive football after serving a ban, and at just 32, is quite clearly not completely past it.
More importantly, his game was never built around his rapid pace or the ability to run circles around the opposition, which fades with age.
Clearly, he’s also looking to make a comeback at the highest possible level, and recently, Pogba was with two Man Utd stars training and undoubtedly fanning the flames for a move.
It couldn’t be more obvious that the French World Cup winner would jump at the chance to resume his career at Old Trafford, now that the person who gave him ‘depression’ at the club has moved on.
However, United must resist the temptation to engineer a second “homecoming” for the mercurial midfielder.
Ineos and Ruben Amorim’s work will be undone with Paul Pogba
It can’t be denied that Pogba will retain the ability to change the game in the blink of an eye with an audacious pass or a blazing shot.
Having said that, United must resist the temptation to sign him. Even beyond the obvious reasons of age and a clear lack of match fitness, the optics aren’t favourable.
Pogba, in many ways, personifies the era that Ruben Amorim and Ineos would want to say they’ve left behind.
When one names model professionals who would be willing to run through brick walls for a manager, Pogba isn’t a name that comes up first.
He needs a structure around him, with players doing the running, and requires careful man-management so he can play at his best.
Amorim and Ineos are priding themselves on resetting the dressing room culture at United with model professionals, especially in young players who can grow together and form a core of the team.
Signing Pogba goes against everything they’ve been preaching. Even if he were 26 and in his prime, it’s not a move that completely made sense.
At 32 and coming off a long break from competitive football, they must resist it at all costs.
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