Super agent Mino Raiola recently spoke about the transfer of his client Paul Pogba to Manchester United and insisted that the Frenchman would need some time to readjust to English football.
After chasing Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba for the entire summer, Jose Mourinho and Manchester United finally got their man for a world record transfer fee. The Red Devils paid £89 million for the services of the 23-year-old, eclipsing the £85.3 million Real Madrid paid to Tottenham Hotspur for Gareth Bale in 2013.
The expectations of the Manchester United fans are understandably commensurate with the amount paid for the Frenchman and the reputation he has built over recent years. Pogba, who spent four years playing in a slower and more tactical league, was expected to hit the ground running in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.
Failure to accomplish that has led many to question the Frenchman’s capability to adapt in England’s top tier. However, one person who continues to believe in him is his agent Mino Raiola.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, the Dutch agent insisted that it would take Pogba time to settle at Manchester United, but that he would dominate for the next decade.
“It’s true Pogba is not playing his best yet, he is taking time to adjust but people don’t always see the bigger picture,” said Raiola. “He will dominate for 10 years. He is United’s lost son.”
The super agent also revealed that the chase for the French superstar had intensified over the last couple of years, with a number of big clubs interested in signing him. However, according to Raiola, Manchester was always the 23-year-old’s home and the appointment of Jose Mourinho was an added impetus.
“Paul said United was in his heart, Woodward wanted him at United a year ago and Mourinho had wanted him at Chelsea too, so when the two combined we knew it was right,” added Raiola
“For the player, Real Madrid would have been easier, La Liga, Champions League, but he wanted the greater challenge.
“Sometimes it is better to lose because you realise you are not what you thought. I still think United will win the league though as they now have the quality.”
Pogba has been accustomed to a certain style of play and it will undoubtedly take him time to adapt to Mourinho’s philosophy at Old Trafford. The Portuguese manager prefers to play with a midfield two stationed behind the three attacking midfielders. However, that system has not managed to bring the best out of Pogba.
If Mourinho is to make the most out of the world’s most expensive player, it may be necessary for him to tweak his formation so as to play to Pogba’s strength. A three-man midfield may just be the right move for Pogba as he would then be given the freedom to showcase his talent without being burdened by as many defensive responsibilities.
