Pogba: 'I rejected Barcelona and Real Madrid'

Paul Pogba said he turned down the chance to join Barcelona and Real Madrid in favour of a move to Manchester United as he felt he had unfinished business at Old Trafford.

Published : Jan 16, 2017 23:34 IST , Manchester

"I came to Manchester United because I have certain goals. I could also have joined Real Madrid or Barcelona, who were interested in signing me. But I chose to return to United because I followed my heart."
"I came to Manchester United because I have certain goals. I could also have joined Real Madrid or Barcelona, who were interested in signing me. But I chose to return to United because I followed my heart."
lightbox-info

"I came to Manchester United because I have certain goals. I could also have joined Real Madrid or Barcelona, who were interested in signing me. But I chose to return to United because I followed my heart."

Paul Pogba said he turned down the chance to join Barcelona and Real Madrid in favour of a move to Manchester United as he felt he had unfinished business at Old Trafford.

The France international left Juventus for United in a world-record deal worth almost GBP 90million in August 2016, returning to the club he departed in 2012, but he could just as easily have continued his career in LaLiga had he wanted to do so.

> Pogba struggles in Liverpool draw

"I came to Manchester United because I have certain goals. It is a big challenge for me," Pogba told SFR Sport.

"I could also have joined Real Madrid or Barcelona, who were interested in signing me. But I chose to return to United because I followed my heart.

"I want to win trophies with Manchester United, I never won anything here. I always told myself that I would one day return to United. It is a club I love a lot and I had unfinished business here. I left because I wanted to play more, but I felt that I was not done here yet.

"I am not even thinking about the transfer fee. I came here to play football."

Pogba has developed into a key figure at United after a difficult start to his second spell at Old Trafford, but he struggled in the > 1-1 draw with Liverpool and conceded the penalty that led to James Milner's opener by handling in the area.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment