Man Utd confirm Paul Pogba exit on free transfer but say flop £89million midfielder should be ‘applauded and celebrated’

MANCHESTER UNITED have officially confirmed Paul Pogba will leave the club this summer when his contract runs out at the end of June.

The 29-year-old will depart Old Trafford for a second time, 10 years after first quitting the club for Juventus.

The £89million paid by Manchester United bring him back in 2016 remains the club's highest ever transfer fee.

It was also the world record figure paid for a footballer at the time.

But now six years later Pogba will leave Old Trafford for NOTHING, with only a League Cup and Europa League winners medal to show for it.

Nevertheless the club say Pogba, who played 233 times in total for United, should be "applauded and celebrated" for his efforts.

That's after a section of United fans had booed Pogba off the pitch when he was substituted during the game against Norwich in April.

The Red Devils posted a lengthy tribute to the Frenchman, who first joined the Academy aged 16 from Le Havre.

Part of the statement said: "It was a low-key end to a United career that had brought so many individual high moments, so many beautiful goals, assists and pieces of skill.

"But for a boy that joined the Academy at 16 to make over 200 United appearances and lift the Youth Cup, along with two major pieces of silverware – not to mention the World Cup at international level – is something that should be applauded and celebrated.

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"Everyone at the club would like to congratulate Paul on his successful career, and thank him for his contributions to Manchester United. 

"We wish him all the best for the next steps on a remarkable journey."

Pogba himself posted a goodbye message to the club on his Twitter account, alongside a compilation video of some of his best moments in a United shirt.

He wrote: "I feel privileged to have played for this club. Many beautiful moments and memories but most importantly an unconditional support from the fans.

"Thank you @ManUtd."

Pogba's final contribution for the club was to hobble out of United's humiliating 4-0 defeat to Liverpool in April with a calf injury.

It turned out to be his last game for the club, with no desire from either Pogba or United to renew his contract once it expired this summer.

He will officially depart when his contract expires on July 1.

Although Pogba is still expected to pick up over £1m in wages over the course of June before finally leaving.

His next club remains a mystery, but the midfielder has been linked with a return to Juventus, as well as a switch to French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

There were even rumours that Pogba had agreed to join bitter rivals Manchester City, but backed out of a move over fears of a backlash from United fans.