Juventus icon warned Pogba against 2016 Man Utd move, would be ‘so happy’ to see him return

Dan Butterfield
Ex-Juventus duo Paul Pogba and Claudio Marchisio

Juventus legend Claudio Marchisio has revealed he warned Paul Pogba about returning to Manchester United in 2016 and admitted he would love him to come back to Juventus.

Having left United on a free transfer in 2012, the Red Devils brought Pogba back to Old Trafford for £89million six years ago.


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It has never gone to plan for the French midfielder since returning to England, with inconsistent performances halting any sort of progression in a United shirt.

Pogba has made over 200 appearances for the club but has just an EFL Cup and a Europa League to his name since returning.

He is now set to leave the club upon the expiration of his contract at the end of June and it has been reported that his representatives have held talks with Juventus over a possible return.

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also thought to be keen on making a move for the midfielder but, at present, a return to Turin looks most likely.

Now, Marchisio, who played with Pogba at Juve, has revealed he warned the 29-year-old against a return to Old Trafford.

Speaking to Sportsmail, the Italian said: “He [Pogba] is the player that impressed me the most for the huge evolution that he had in Juventus because he arrived as a boy.

“Me, [Arturo] Vidal and [Andrea] Pirlo immediately understood his enormous potential and that’s what he showed.

“We also became friends and as a friend I told him that Manchester United couldn’t be the right solution for him, the right choice. Not because of the team, it’s a great team, but because of the moment of his career.”

Marchisio, who retired in 2019, also claimed a move back to Serie A would be beneficial to both the club and the player but it was up to Pogba to decide.

“In terms of a return to Juventus, as a friend, I would be so happy to see him again at Juventus.

“It would be good for the club, I would suggest him to come back. But it’s up to him and the club to decide.”