Paul Pogba ‘sorry’ as Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag plans another signing

Rangnick talks about Rashford, Ronaldo and Pogba in January

When Paul Pogba left Manchester United for Juventus last summer, it seemed to be a match made in heaven. The France international had previously dazzled for the Serie A giants, helping them dominate under Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri. His Hollywood homecoming has turned sour, however, and Erik ten Hag is moving on further by planning to sign another midfielder at the end of the campaign.

According to Pogba’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, the midfielder is ‘sorry’ for the way his first season back at Juventus has panned out.

“Paul is like a nephew, or rather a son. We argue, then we make up. He’s a golden boy,” she said recently.

“He is very sorry for this campaign at Juventus. He returned as happy as a child, it was a dream for him to come back.

“Unfortunately things didn’t go according to his plan, but now he’s optimistic because his physical form is finally improving.”

Certainly, Pogba’s time in Italy hasn’t played out in the way he’d hoped.

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He left United last summer because, after six years of blowing hot and cold at Old Trafford, he felt the grass would be greener on the other side.

Pogba had previously returned to the Red Devils back in the summer transfer window of 2016, when Jose Mourinho was manager, having left for Juventus four years previously.

But while he helped United claim two trophies in his first season back in the Premier League, Pogba was never able to live up to expectations.

Of course, there were flashes of brilliance. When at the peak of his powers, the France international was unstoppable.

Yet United opted against giving Pogba a new contract, with Ten Hag keen for the club to move on and plan with different personnel instead.

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United already took steps when it came to replacing the midfielder 12 months ago by landing Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.

Marcel Sabitzer then proceeded to join in January, with the Austria international touching down on loan from Bayern Munich.

But United, this summer, will step up the next stage of the Pogba replacement plan by bringing in yet another reinforcement.

Frenkie de Jong and Jude Bellingham would be dream signings, with the duo impressing for Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund respectively this season.

De Jong has long made it clear he’s happy at the Nou Camp, however, while Bellingham is also on the radars of Real Madrid and Manchester City.

United have longstanding interest in Ruben Neves and Declan Rice, though deals for the Wolves and West Ham stars won’t come cheap.

And they’ve been linked with a summer move for Ryan Gravenberch, who is widely expected to leave Bayern Munich after toiling since his move from Ajax last year.

Had United kept Pogba, they’d have likely had to go through much of the season without him – just like Juventus.

While he’s sorry for the way his spell with the Old Lady has gone so far, the Red Devils are certainly better off without him.

Meanwhile, Pimenta has also opened up on the late Mino Raiola – who sadly passed away last year having previously represented superstars such as Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Erling Haaland.

She said of Raiola: “Mino was a revolutionary, he changed the agent’s role forever, putting the player at the centre.

“The last thing he said to me was ‘be happy’. He taught me to give my best at work but also to never take myself too seriously.

“I’m trying to continue his work with the same spirit.

“We worked together for 27 years. We were different, a crazy duo, but aligned.”

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