It was late at night in August 2016 when the hashtag #POGBACK basically broke the internet. You remember where you were. I certainly do. It felt like Manchester United had finally flexed their muscles and brought home the prodigal son.
Paul Pogba to Manchester United wasn't just a transfer. It was a circus, a statement, and a world-record £89 million gamble that still sparks heated debates in 2026.
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People love to call it a failure. They say he was a "TikTok footballer" or a luxury player United didn't need. But when you look at the raw numbers and the chaotic state of the club back then, the truth is way more complicated. It wasn't just about one guy’s hair or his agent’s demands. It was a collision between a generational talent and a club that had lost its identity.
The World-Record Return: Why United Paid Up
In 2016, Jose Mourinho needed a centerpiece. He’d just arrived at Old Trafford and wanted power, height, and flair. Pogba had all three.
United didn't just pay for a midfielder; they paid for a brand. At the time, Pogba was coming off four straight Serie A titles with Juventus. He was the "Golden Boy." The fee of £89.3 million (€105 million) eclipsed Gareth Bale’s move to Real Madrid, making Pogba the most expensive player on the planet at that moment.
United fans were ecstatic. Finally, the club had replaced the hole left by Paul Scholes—or so they thought. But there was a massive elephant in the room. Sir Alex Ferguson had let him go for basically nothing (around £800,000 in compensation) just four years earlier. Paying nearly £90 million to buy back a player you once owned for free is a tough pill to swallow. It set a precedent of "tax" that Manchester United has struggled to escape ever since.
The Mourinho Era and the First Glimmers
The first season actually went okay. People forget that. Pogba won the League Cup and the Europa League in 2017. He even scored in the Europa League final against Ajax.
Stats-wise, he was doing things no other United midfielder could.
- Key Passes: He was consistently near the top of the league.
- Long Balls: His accuracy was roughly 68%, which is absurd for someone taking risks.
- Presence: He was the only one who could transition the ball from defense to attack in two touches.
But then the "Mourinho vs. Pogba" drama started. It was like watching a slow-motion car crash. Mourinho wanted a disciplined soldier. Pogba wanted to be an artist. By the time Mourinho called him a "virus" in front of the squad, the relationship was dead.
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The Midfield Identity Crisis
One of the biggest misconceptions about Paul Pogba to Manchester United is that he was "lazy." If you watch the 2018 World Cup, you see a completely different player. Why? Because for France, he had N’Golo Kanté and Blaise Matuidi doing the dirty work.
At United, he was often stuck in a "double pivot" with players like Nemanja Matic or, worse, Fred and Scott McTominay.
He was expected to be everything.
The creator.
The destroyer.
The goalscorer.
It’s impossible. You don't buy a Ferrari and then get mad when it can't haul a trailer through a muddy field. United bought a Ferrari but didn't have a paved road for it to drive on.
The Numbers vs. The Narrative
If you look at his 2018-19 season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the stats are actually world-class. He finished with 13 goals and 9 assists in the Premier League. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year.
Honestly, if any other midfielder put up those numbers, we’d be talking about a legendary season. But because of the price tag and the constant noise from his agent, Mino Raiola, the goalposts were always moving.
Every time United lost, it was somehow Pogba’s fault. If he changed his hair, it was proof he wasn't "focused." If he went to a wedding while injured, the tabloids went nuclear. It was a level of scrutiny that eventually wore him down.
Why it ultimately fell apart
By 2021, the vibe had shifted. Pogba's contract was ticking down, and he didn't seem interested in signing a new one. Injuries started piling up, too. His final season was a ghost of his former self—20 appearances, one goal, and a lot of time on the treatment table.
When he left on a free transfer back to Juventus in 2022, it felt like a relief for everyone. United had spent over £200 million when you factor in wages and fees, only to see him walk away for zero. Again.
Paul Pogba in 2026: Where is he now?
As of January 2026, the story has taken a pretty sad turn. After the doping ban drama that sidelined him for 18 months, he’s been trying to rebuild his career at Monaco in Ligue 1.
He signed a two-year deal in the summer of 2025, but the fitness issues haven't gone away. He’s only managed about 30 minutes of football this season due to a stubborn calf injury. Monaco’s CEO, Thiago Scuro, recently admitted that the "plan isn't working out" as they'd hoped. At 32, it looks like the curtain is slowly closing on one of the most naturally gifted players we’ve ever seen.
What can we learn from the Pogba-United Saga?
If you're a club owner or a hardcore fan, there are a few hard lessons here:
- Structure over Stars: You cannot drop a superstar into a broken system and expect them to fix it. United lacked a recruitment strategy, and Pogba paid the price.
- The Agent Factor: Having a "super-agent" like Raiola (RIP) meant the club was always in a state of negotiation. It's exhausting for the dressing room.
- Role Clarity: If you buy a player who excels as a Left Central Midfielder (LCM) in a 4-3-3, don't try to make them a defensive mid in a 4-2-3-1.
If you want to understand the modern Manchester United, you have to understand the Pogba deal. It was the peak of the "Post-Fergie" era—expensive, flashy, and ultimately lacking the foundation to succeed.
To really see how the club has changed since then, you should look into how they've restructured their wage bill under the new INEOS leadership. They are finally moving away from these "blockbuster" signings that lack tactical fit, opting for players who actually suit the manager's style rather than just selling shirts.