Yes, the amount that Manchester United paid for Paul Pogba last summer was no doubt extraordinary and eye-popping. However, a player is truly worth whatever someone is willing to pay, and you have to give some credit to the elite performance of his agent, Mino Raiola on that deal.
Juventus Manager Massimiliano Allegri revealed today that he “did nothing” to try and stop the midfielder from leaving last summer once the bid amount came in.
While Pogba is very talented, he really struggled at first in his transition back to Old Trafford. Year one of his Red Devils return was disappointing, but he definitely finished strong, which is a sign of promise for next season. United themselves never challenged for the league title, but they did stay in the race for the top four until the final month.
Jose Mourinho came the first United manager in history to win a trophy during his first season on the job, and he took home three actually- the Community Shield, EFL Cup and UEFA Europa League. The last one is the most important, as it provided a route back into UEFA Champions League.
Winning trophies is “all that matters” Pogba said in a very detailed and in-depth interview with Esquire. In the Q&A, the Frenchman hits back at critics of both himself and United, by reminding them “we have three trophies.”
Here’s an excerpt from Esquire.com:
Mourinho said afterwards that often this season he’s been made to feel that United were “the worst team in the world”. That he was “the worst manager in the world”. Do you feel you’ve proved some people wrong?
“We’re the worst team in the world, yeah. But we have three trophies. So [laughs] people can say what they want. Are we the worst? OK, no problem, I accept that. I accept that we didn’t play well, we didn’t do this, we didn’t do that. I know what we did — we won three trophies. That’s all I know. And that’s all that matters. Because you can be the best team in the world, you can play great football and you win zero trophies. And who remembers them? No one. Right?”
Have you felt like the worst player in the world?
“Yeah, as well. The worst player in the world wins three trophies! Haha! Yes, that’s fine. That’s fine, I accept it. The most over-rated, too much money, too much spending, everything you can say. This guy, for the next month he will enjoy his holiday with his medal and the trophy — nice! And I’m going to the Champions League…
Before last summer’s mega-deal, United had broken the British transfer fee record 12 times, but never surpassed the global benchmark. Pogba was asked about being the most expensive player in the world (£89.3 million transfer fee) in this interview as well. Specifically he was asked if it’s a source of pride, or pressure
“After one week, I forgot,” he responded.
“It’s people that reminded me. Because at the end of the day, when you die, the most expensive and the less expensive, they go in the same grave. So I don’t even think about it.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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