Solskjaer's warning rings true with Pogba's career all but over after doping ban
Paul Pogba seemingly had the world at his feet when he rejoined Manchester United back in the summer of 2016.
The midfield maestro left Old Trafford four years prior as a talented young prospect brimming with potential. He returned from his overseas odyssey with Juventus as an established international talent with championship-winning pedigree. Seven-and-a-half years on, the 30-year-old's career is all but over courtesy of a four-year ban for doping.
It should have been different, though. Pogba's homecoming was given top billing. His return was meant to become synonymous with a return to domestic dominance for Manchester United, but neither of those things happened, nor did they ever seem likely once the dust had settled from a then-world record £89million transfer.
Pogba significantly underwhelmed during his second stint at Old Trafford, often flattering to deceive. Even as his resume grew richer on the international stage courtesy of France's World Cup triumph in 2018, his influence at club level was minimal. The fact he left United for a second time, four years later, with just the Europa League trophy and a League Cup to his name spoke volumes.
Despite his obvious talent, Pogba would often stand on the periphery of games rather than grabbing them by the scruff of the neck. His former manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, seemingly recognised this back in the summer of 2020; a time where the Frenchman was being linked with a move elsewhere.
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Solskjaer stressed the club wanted to retain the services of their club-record acquisition - but also warned the player that he would have regrets down the line if he didn't embrace and utilise his prodigious talent.
“Paul knows he’s a special talent and he doesn’t want to in five or ten years time look back and think I didn’t make the most of it,” Solskjaer said ominously in the lead up to the 2020/21 campaign. “He is a already a World Cup winner, he has won things with Juventus and us so I’m not surprised by his enthusiasm and dedication to us. We are looking to keep Paul here and we are looking to keep the best players here anyway.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer warned Pogba that he could have regrets in the future (Getty Images)Pogba would end up outlasting Solskjaer at Manchester United given the Norwegian was sacked less than 18 months after those comments, but the rest of his time at the club was consistent with the underwhelming nature of his time under Solskjaer. He ultimately left United in the summer of 2022 without leaving a legacy akin to that of his former manager, who had desparately tried to coax more out of him.
Unfortunately for Pogba, Solskjaer's warning over regrets is now pertinent in the wake of the four-year ban that's been imposed on him. Given Pogba's age and injury record, it's highly likely his career at an elite level is now all but over, although he is expected to appeal the decision.
It emerged back in September that Pogba had failed a drugs test and had been provisionally suspended by Juventus. That followed on from a disappointing 2022/23 campaign, where injuries and fitness issues plagued Pogba's return to the Italian giants.
There had been some hope he could make amends this year. Instead, Pogba seems destined to spend his prime years watching football from afar wondering what could have been.
Pogba's second spell at Juventus has not gone to plan (ALESSANDRO DI MARCO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)He confirmed he would appeal the decision on Thursday, stating: “I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping's decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect.
“I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me. When I am free of legal restrictions the full story will become clear, but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations.
“As a professional athlete I would never do anything to enhance my performance by using banned substances and have never disrespected or cheated fellow athletes and supporters of any of the teams I have played for, or against.
“As a consequence of the decision announced today I will appeal this before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
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