On Wednesday, June 1st, 2022 the Manchester United football club announced that their superstar midfielder, Paul Pogba, who initially joined Manchester United for a world – record fee, but he will be leaving the English club for free.
Manchester United last Wednesday that the French – born midfielder will be departing from Old Trafford at the end of the month of June when his current contract ultimately expires. Another midfielder, Jesse Lingard, will also be leaving Manchester United when his latest contract also expires on June 30th, 2022 according to a Manchester United spokesperson.
Manchester United wishes Paul Pogba the very best in the Future
“We wish him all the best for the next steps on a remarkable journey,” Manchester United expressed regarding Pogba via a long statement that detailed all the successes of his illustrious football career.
However, Pogba’s 2nd – stint with Manchester United has been somewhat underwhelming as he has been considered to be under – performing as of lately.
Paul Pogba’s History with Manchester United
Pogba made his return to Manchester United back in 2016, when Jose Mourinho was manager, for an astonishing fee of approximately 105 million euros ($116 million) to go along with a whole lot of fanfare that featured a series of extravagant highlight videos. Paul came over to Manchester United from the Juventus football club, where he had moved from Manchester United way back in 2012 having joined the English club’s academy at the tender age of 16 – years – old.
Pogba made a total of 226 – game appearances, and he scored 39 – goals over the duration of his 6 – injury – affected seasons during his 2nd – stint with Manchester United. Over the course of that time, he won the World Cup with France’s international team back in 2018, but Paul’s performances for Manchester United never quite lived up to those for his beloved French national team, with the managers of Manchester United coming up short in attempting to discover the best role for Pogba on their team.
He won two trophies including the League Cup championship title as well as the Europa League championship title both during Pogba’s 1st – season back with Manchester United.
Throughout Paul’s 1st – run with Man U, he played just 7 – games (all as a substitute for Manchester United) prior to it all eventually ended poorly when he permitted for his current contract at that time to expire followed by Pogba joining Juventus in the Italian Serie A League.
Manchester United received just roughly 800,000 pounds (around $1 million) in total compensation for a player in Pogba who at that time was then just an ambitious teen.
His last match for Manchester United ultimately happened to be the 4 to 1 defeat vs. Liverpool back in April of 2022, where he limped off as he was injured early during the 1st – half of that game.
“For a boy that joined the academy at 16 to make over 200 United appearances and lift the Youth Cup, along with two major pieces of silverware — not to mention the World Cup at international level — is something that should be applauded and celebrated,” says Manchester United.
Manchester United goes on to say, “Everyone at the club would like to congratulate Paul on his successful career.”
The Future of the Midfielders leaving Manchester United
Pogba has been linked with Juventus and Paris Saint – Germain as potential landing spots for the star midfielder.
Lingard is also leaving Man U after spending 21 – years with the club, having joined its under – 19’s team way back in 2001.
The England international player in Lingard made 232 – appearances for Manchester United. He spent the 2nd – half of the 2020 – 2021 European football season on loan from the West Ham football club.
Paul Pogba’s Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards
Juventus
- Serie A: 2012 – 2013, 2013 – 2014, 2014 – 2015, 2015 – 2016
- Coppa Italia: 2014 – 2015, 2015 – 2016
- Supercoppa Italiana: 2013, 2015
Manchester United
- UEFA Europa League: 2016 – 2017 Runner – Up: 2020 – 2021
- EFL Cup: 2016 – 2017
France U20
- FIFA U – 20 World Cup: 2013
France
- FIFA World Cup: 2018
- UEFA Nations League: 2020 – 2021
Individual
- UEFA European Under – 17 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2010
- UEFA European Under – 19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2012
- FIFA U – 20 World Cup Golden Ball: 2013
- Golden Boy: 2013
- Serie A Team of the Year: 2013 – 2014, 2014 – 2015, 2015 – 2016
- FIFA World Cup Best Young Player: 2014
- Bravo Award: 2014
- UEFA Team of the Year: 2015
- FIFA FIFPro World11: 2015
- ESM Team of the Year: 2015 – 2016, 2018 – 2019
- UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2016 – 2017, 2020 – 2021
- UEFA Europa League Player of the Season: 2016 – 2017
- PFA Team of the Year: 2018 – 2019 Premier League
Orders
- Knight of the Legion of Honor: 2018
Sources:
The Associated Press News Services. “Pogba leaving United for free after joining for record fee”. The Associated Press. June 1, 2022.
Football Reference News Services. “Paul Pogba”. Football Reference. June 2, 2022.