Manchester United has received a strong caution against the potential re-signing of Paul Pogba to enhance Ruben Amorim’s squad depth. The former midfielder for the Red Devils will be eligible to join a new club upon the completion of his 18-month doping suspension later this month, which has led to speculation regarding a return to Old Trafford.
Pogba departed United as a free agent in 2022 after his contract expired, subsequently rejoining Juventus on a four-year agreement. His initial season back in Turin was marred by injuries, following his previous transfer from Manchester in 2012, and his return for a then-world-record fee of £89 million four years later. He faced a provisional suspension from football after testing positive for non-endogenous testosterone.
In February 2024, the Italian Anti-Doping National Tribunal imposed a four-year ban on Pogba, with the possibility of appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
By October of that year, the World Cup winner’s ban was reduced to 18 months, allowing him to resume training in January 2025 and to return to competitive play in March.
Following a mutual agreement to terminate his contract with Juventus in November, Pogba is now free to select his next club. This decision is expected soon, but former United defender Mikael Silvestre has advised INEOS and Ruben Amorim to disregard the availability of his fellow countryman.
“No, I wouldn’t be tempted to sign Paul Pogba on a free transfer if I was Manchester United,” Silvestre told yaysweepstakes.com.
“I like Paul a lot, but I wouldn’t because it’s going to be expensive, and you don’t know, physically, how long it’s going to take him to get up match fitness.
“Even though he’s been out of the game for 18 months, before his ban, he wasn’t really playing that much at Juventus. He’s had a couple of injuries.
“It’s too big of a risk. If you were signing him and he was in peak fitness, he had been playing regular football, with a perfect body and mind, then it would be a no-brainer.
“But, after what he’s been through as well, it’s extremely difficult for him. I wouldn’t be in favour of Manchester United bringing him back to the club again.”
Amorim has strongly suggested that United will not be engaging in such transactions during his restructuring efforts.
In collaboration with INEOS, he has openly committed to steering clear of the “mistakes” made by the previous administration, which have played a significant role in the club’s existing financial difficulties.
Amorim is anticipated to lead an initiative centered on acquiring younger, more economically viable players in what is poised to be one of the most crucial summer transfer windows in the history of United.