Paul Pogba has explained the two key factors behind his decision to rejoin Juventus this summer at the end of his Manchester United contract.
For the second time in his career, Pogba saw out his deal at Old Trafford before signing for the Serie A side, with the Frenchman ultimately falling out of favour in England as he failed to produce the level of performances seen at international level.
There was speculation in the summer that PSG and Real Madrid were also interested in the midfield but he eventually opted to move back to Juventus, six years after he left for the Premier League.
Revealing his motivation behind that decision, Pogba spoke of his close relationship with both Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri and the club’s supporters.
“I have always had a very strong relationship with the coach,” Pogba told GQ Italia.
“Nice, honest. He knows me and always pushed me when we were here together. Even when I was in Manchester we kept in touch and talked a lot.”
On the support from Juventus fans, Pogba added: “When I left, they were very grateful for the years together. I was young and they really always pushed me to the stadium, they were always behind me, I always felt the love of these fans, this is the truth.
“I have never heard such a great one, not even in Manchester.”
Pogba has been kept out of the side after suffering a meniscus tear in pre-season, which has not only delayed his Serie A return but also put his place in France’s World Cup squad in doubt. In his absence, Juventus are eighth in the table and have lost both of their Champions League matches.
The 29-year-old has no regrets about his decision to leave Man United though, believing the timing was right for him to rejoin Juventus and help the club get back to the top of Italian football.
“I like to think and say that it is my heart that made the choice,” Pogba said. “It was also perhaps the right time to come back here.
“The last three years in Manchester, also affected by injuries, have not gone as I wanted, it is no mystery. I thought that if we added to this the fact that Juve have also arrived for two years in which they did not win the Scudetto, it was a good challenge for both of us.”
