Frank Christian
Ex-Manchester United player Paul Pogba has shared his remarkable choice to turn down a transfer to rivals Manchester City in 2022.
Pogba discussed various topics as he looks to make a comeback to football, following a reduced ban stemming from a doping test failure in February.
After a thorough dispute, the Court of Arbitration for Sport recognized that Pogba’s use of a banned substance was unintentional.
His original four-year ban was shortened to 18 months, starting in September 2023, which may allow him to return to competitive play by March 2025.
While gearing up to rejoin Juventus training, Pogba expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to revitalize his career in Turin.
“I don’t cheat. I am passionate about the sport and prefer to win justly,” he stated in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports.
“My goal is clear: I want to return to the field, starting with training alongside my Juventus teammates.”
Pogba’s Decision on Man City
Pogba also expressed his aspirations for a return to the French national team and discussed his 2022 move to Juventus in another interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, including a notable remark about Manchester City.
“I still follow Man United and have friends there; they remain one of the world’s top clubs,” he mentioned.
“The story regarding Man City is accurate. I did decline Pep Guardiola’s offer to choose Juventus instead.”
Switching between Manchester’s red and blue teams isn’t new, with players like Peter Schmeichel, Carlos Tevez, and Owen Hargreaves having made that transition.
However, if Pogba had made the switch, it likely would have upset United fans, considering his mixed history with the club from 2016 to 2022.
United re-signed Pogba from Juventus for a then record fee of £89m ($116m), but after six seasons, he only contributed to one UEFA Europa League title and an EFL Cup, as injuries and a lack of motivation marked his final days at Old Trafford.
