Paul Pogba tipped for shock Manchester United return by ex-France teammate

Paul Pogba has been tipped with a shock return to former club Manchester United as he looks to get his football career back on track after his ban for using drugs was shortened.

Pogba is currently without a club after Juventus terminated his contract earlier this month. The World Cup-winning France midfielder can start training in January, and return to the pitch in March after his four-year drugs ban was reduced to 18 months.

Former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna, who played alongside Pogba with the France national team, said he can see the 31-year-old returning to Old Trafford.

“It's a different situation today at Manchester United to when Paul was previously there,” the 41-year-old Sagna told Megadice.

“United have a young coach, a coach that has been a player, a coach that understands the situation. He will probably be willing to have a player like Paul at his training sessions.

“Amorim was a player himself, so I’m sure the coach will be open to seeing him getting back home because he loves United,” said Sagna.

“I have talked many times with Paul. He loves United. The only problem was the situation when he came back. That was a spell where things didn’t go as well as they should have done, but Paul wasn’t the only player that struggled at United during the time he was there.”

However, a return to the Premier League is thought to be unlikely for Pogba, who joined United for a then-world record transfer fee of £89.3 million.

British news outlet talkSPORT reported last month that Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC have shown the most interest in securing the former Manchester United star’s signature.

A move to LA FC will see Pogba reunited with former France teammates Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris, who signed for the California club before the MLS season kicked off.

IOL Sport

• Paul Pogba to Hollywood? Juventus mull contract termination after drugs ban reduced

• Juventus’ Paul Pogba can resume football career after drugs ban reduced to 18 months

• Dodgy brother of French football star Paul Pogba to be tried in kidnap case

• Jesse Lingard wants Uncle Waffles to perform at his birthday, but she doesn't come cheap

• ‘Extraordinary’ Paul Pogba’s doping ban a loss for football, says Massimiliano Allegri

• Paul Pogba’s career in jeopardy as France star handed four-year doping ban