Paul Pogba’s world record return to Manchester United is hailed as an awesome message to Europe’s giants after they fought off fierce late interest from Real Madrid
Old Trafford insiders believe luring £89m Juventus midfielder is special moment Jose Mourinho needs to spark revolution
MANCHESTER UNITED fought off late interest from Real Madrid to land Paul Pogba.
And club insiders believe the world-record £89million signing sends out a huge message to their rivals.
It is the second battle United have won with Madrid after getting keeper David De Gea to snub a switch to the Bernabeu.
Boss Jose Mourinho hailed Pogba’s arrival, saying: “He is an unbelievable midfield player and has everything.
“He has such physicality but, at the same time, agility, co-ordination and skill.”
England icon Gary Lineker insists Pogba’s arrival is a “watershed moment for the Prem”.
He added: “It’s the first time a big foreign star has come to England in his prime.”
And ex-United defender Gary Neville also reckons the arrival of the Frenchman, 23, is a massive coup.
He said: “It is a big fee, but the Prem was losing grade-A players to Spain. He is the top signing of the summer.”
United insiders say Madrid were in the race right until the end and had the money to do a deal with Juventus.
Mourinho is also said to have played a key role in convincing Spaniard De Gea to stay.
And the manager took another swipe at rivals Jurgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger after clinching the Pogba deal.
Both bosses have had a pop at the “crazy” transfer fee.
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But the Special One claimed Liverpool and Arsenal will NEVER be in a position to break the world-record fee.
He said: “To have this problem, you need to be at a top club.”
Meanwhile, Juan Mata still has a United future, despite his Wembley row with Mourinho.
He was furious to be subbed at the end of the Community Shield, less than half an hour after coming on.
But United insiders say they do not plan to sell Mata this month.