Paul Pogba ‘regrets’ moving back to Manchester United

There’s sensational news in the Daily Star today, which claims that Paul Pogba harbours “some regrets” about rejoining Manchester United.

The paper takes its astonishing allegation from the pages of the French sports daily, L’Equipe, which says that the French playmaker is having “second thoughts” about his decision to re-sign for the club he left in 2012.

Pogba subsequently flourished at Juventus but things haven’t gone so well at Old Trafford since his second coming in 2016. The arrival of Alexis Sanchez has also cast doubt on his United future.

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Pogba, who has yet to complete 90 minutes since the arrival of Sanchez from Arsenal last month, has reportedly “demanded” Jose Mourinho alters his formation to give him “more freedom” but given the United manager’s temperament that request seems unlikely to be granted.

The 24-year-old Pogba is seen by Mourinho as a box-to-box midfielder but the Star says that he wants to play on the left of a midfield three, “giving him licence to drive forward and attack”.

The stand-off has allegedly led Pogba to ruminate on his decision to join United rather than Real Madrid for whom he has “never hidden his initial attraction”.

Where that leaves Pogba at Old Trafford is unclear but with Real Madrid expected to overhaul their squad in the summer after a fitful season, speculation is growing they could make a move for the Gallic playmaker.

According to The Sun, “Bernabeu bosses are now plotting an aud­acious bid for Pogba when the season ends”, one that will involve a bid of more than £120m.

Might United use the money to lure Mauro Icardi from Inter Milan? The Star claims that super agent Mino Raiola is “attempting to engineer” the transfer. Intriguingly he is also the representative of Pogba.

Icardi was linked with a move away from the San Siro during last month’s transfer window, with Real said to be interested, but it may be that Raiola could pull off a deal that sees the Argentine move to Old Trafford with Pogba heading to Spain.