Bacary Sagna believes Paul Pogba would seize the opportunity to rejoin Manchester United for a third stint, especially under the guidance of current manager Ruben Amorim.
The French World Cup winner, now 31, finds himself without a club after mutually terminating his contract with Juventus earlier this month. Pogba’s second spell with the Serie A giants saw him make only 12 appearances before his career was derailed by a doping scandal.
In September 2023, Pogba received a four-year suspension for testing positive for an illegal substance. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) later reduced the ban to 18 months, ruling that Pogba had unintentionally ingested the substance. This decision means he can return to training in January 2024 and resume competitive football by March.
Despite the challenges, Pogba’s talent remains undeniable, and a return to Old Trafford—two years after leaving—could be a reality, according to his former France teammate Sagna. The ex-Arsenal and Manchester City defender suggested that Pogba might relish the chance to play under Amorim’s leadership.
Speaking to Mega Dice, Sagna said:
“It’s a different situation at Manchester United now compared to when Paul was last there. They have a young coach who’s been a player and understands the dynamics. Amorim would likely welcome someone like Paul into his setup. As a former player himself, I’m sure he’d be open to seeing Paul come back, especially since Paul loves United.”
Sagna also reflected on Pogba’s prior stint at United, attributing some of the difficulties to the club’s broader struggles during that era:
“I’ve spoken with Paul many times, and he genuinely loves United. The problem wasn’t just him—it was the overall situation when he returned. Many players struggled during that period.”
United’s midfield has been stretched thin due to injuries to Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte. In their recent 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen started but were both substituted in the second half, highlighting the need for reinforcements.
With Pogba potentially available in March, a return to United could provide the club with a high-quality option to bolster their midfield. Whether Amorim views Pogba as part of his plans remains to be seen, but Sagna’s comments suggest the door might be open for a remarkable comeback.
