Transfer Centre

Claudio Marchisio warned Paul Pogba against Manchester United move

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 22 March 2020

Former Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio reveals that he advised Paul Pogba to snub a return to Manchester United in 2016 in favour of joining Real Madrid.

Former Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has revealed that he warned Paul Pogba against rejoining Manchester United in 2016.

Pogba became the world's most expensive player when he left Turin for Old Trafford in an £89m deal, just four years after moving in the opposite direction for a nominal compensation fee.

However, the 27-year-old has struggled to replicate his Juventus form on a consistent basis for United and has seen his 2019-20 campaign blighted by injuries, limiting him to only eight appearances across all competitions.

Pogba has been linked with a return to Juventus this summer, while Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested, and Marchisio admitted that he would love to see his former teammate back at the Old Lady.

"I would be very happy. I told him that he was wrong to go to Manchester and that if he really wanted to change he should choose Spain," Marchisio told Tuttosport.

"Having said that, his return would be extremely positive, Paul would be reborn in the environment he loves and pampers him the most.

"And he would give Juventus a lot as they need someone like him in the middle: he is a great professional."

Pogba has made 150 appearances for United over his two spells, scoring 31 goals and assisting the same amount, while for Juventus he scored 34 goals and registered 40 assists in 178 outings.