Paul Pogba to Manchester United: Red Devils icon admits re-signing player for world-record fee is ‘bitter pill to swallow’
Frenchman was released on a free transfer by Sir Alex Ferguson four years ago but could be worth every penny
PAUL POGBA rejoining Manchester United for £105million would be a “bitter pill to swallow” according to club legend Gary Pallister.
Former boss Alex Ferguson allowed the Frenchman to leave Old Trafford for Juventus on a free in 2012.
Now United are ready to break the transfer world record to bring the midfielder, 23, back home.
Pallister, who made more than 300 appearances for United, said: “You want to see the best players coming to Old Trafford and Paul Pogba is one of those. It is a bitter pill to swallow because we had him for nothing.
“He played a couple of games in the first team and was a star in the Under-21s. But Sir Alex did not think he was fully ready. It’s all down to timing. The player wanted to go out and play.
“But the lad’s a talent and he would bring a tremendous amount to United’s midfield. It’s crazy money but that’s the going rate.
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“The club are very wealthy and if they spend £105m now you could get ten years of service out of him. He could prove to be worth every single penny.”
New United boss Jose Mourinho has signed Eric Bailly, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. And Pallister, who won four Premier League titles at the club, has hailed the appointment of the former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager.
He added: “Everyone is excited at Old Trafford. Jose has been very positive and he said he’s looking to win the title.
“We will be up there fighting. It wouldn’t surprise me if we challenge for the title next year.
“He will bring the entertaining football back to Old Trafford which we haven’t seen for three years.”
GARY PALLISTER was speaking at the Manchester McDonald’s #HelloGoodTimes event, where he gave away Player Escort places and tickets to the FA Community Shield.
Visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/goodtimes