Paul Pogba joining up with Real Madrid in 2016 was seen as a shoo-in, in fact, a mere formality. From Juventus, the France international had picked the Los Blancos as the next destination, but he ended up rejoining Manchester United. What led Pogba to that fateful decision?
The World Cup winner had made clear he's joining a side that can play in the Champions League and win the title, so the choices are down to two - Barcelona or Real Madrid. The former dropped out unwilling to pay the exorbitant transfer.
Becoming a Galactico shaped up as the best option for the Frenchman, who, four years ago made the decision to get out of Turin. He knew then Real would make his dreams come true.
"Pogba was keen on a move to the Bernabeu and the Frenchman believed a move to the Bernabeu was a formality," Metro reported.
Then the Red Devils came knocking and argued with Pogba that a return to England would be best for his career. At Old Trafford, the midfielder would be a headliner and the toast of the United supporters. In Bernabeu, he would be just one of the guys.
According to journalist Andy Mitten, United showed Pogba the social media buzz generated by the rumors of him suiting up for the English club and the star bought what was shown to him.
"United to their credit ... they came in and said to Paul that if you go to Real Madrid you'll be fourth or fifth main man at Real Madrid because they're the best team in the world ... If you come to Manchester United you'll be the main man," Mitten was reported as saying.
To support the claim that the club, Pogba was shown "the number of interactions on social media on when he was linked with United compared to Madrid and United's numbers blew Madrid's out of the water."
Looking back, it was rather easy on Pogba's part to decide in favor of United. He'd be playing for his former club and the money was assured to be good so it was not a decision by impulse. The 27-year-old was convinced he'd matter in the Premier League and possibly in Champions League.
Pogba, however, proved restless in Manchester. He was consistently linked with transfer rumors to Juventus and Real Madrid and injury woes kept him from achieving a top-form. In the season alone, the midfielder only managed eight appearances.
He, nonetheless, recently voiced out willingness to stay and perhaps win titles for the Red Devils. Express said supporters of the club have become convinced that Pogba will indeed stay and not leave in the summer as suggested by several reports.
In Twitter, United fans said Pogba has become content again and could be signing an extension with the club.
"We love to see it," said in one comment, reflecting the anticipation by many for Pogba to keep the United colors.
