Adidas rap music video announcing Pogba’s return to Manchester United
I was a fool to ever leave your side
Me minus you is such a lonely ride
The breakup we had has made me lonesome and sad
I realize I love you ’cause I want you bad, hey, hey
—Opening lyrics from Peaches and Herb’s “Reunited”
We are, of course, thinking, talking about Paul Pogba being feted as a returning hero on his coming back to Manchester United. A reunion made in marketing heaven. Simply put, whatever United were, they are suddenly cool again. The way they’ve never been since David Beckham left.
Like the Bleacher Report said, “For now there is the excitement. For now there is the hype. For now there is #Pogback.”
And, unlike when Beckham was driving the manager nuts by pushing the envelope back then, Pogba is out there fully with Manchester United and sponsor Adidas’ full blessings.
First things first, in shirt sales alone, Man U will recoup many times over the $89 million to $110 million that they reportedly gave to Juventus to get their wayward son back.
And the reason is that Pogba, with his effusive personality and general relatability, is an incandescent talent the world over. With his 6’ 3” frame and 175 lbs dripping wet, Pogba brings dazzling skills that produces amazing goals and assists and unquenchable star quality.
I mean, look at this remarkable video that Juventus, the team Pogba is leaving, put together to thank him for his time with them:
But why did it ever come to this? Why did Pogba ever have to leave in the first place?
Whatever face-saving explanations legendary Man United manager Alex Ferguson may have have given, the fault lies solely with Ferguson. Pogba, then 18 years old, was a prodigiously talented United minnow looking for first team ball in 2011.
Pogba felt Ferguson was stringing him along and he couldn’t wait. With his three-year contract up, he jumped rather than sign the contract United had in front of him without guarantee he would sniff first team.
At Juventus, where he decamped on a free transfer, his talent blossomed and he became a worldwide star.
Now, the next question, can Pogba succeed in the New Manchester United, especially with its evil-incarnate manager Jose Mourinho? There’s no use sugar coating this. Mourinho is an awful human being. And, if things should ever start going sour, he is going to be looking for scapegoats. The prime candidate for that will be Pogba simply because of the astronomical transfer fee.
Good luck, #Pogback!
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