Manchester United Transfer News: Paul Pogba Agent Hits Back at Sir Alex Ferguson

Mino Raiola, the agent of Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, has criticised former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson over quotes made regarding the Frenchman’s move from Old Trafford to Turin.  

As reported by Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star, in Ferguson’s new autobiography, Leading, he claims Raiola was the reason behind Pogba leaving United. But Raiola has hit back, insisting Ferguson got it wrong with the young midfielder and still hasn’t seen the bigger picture:

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Those words don't describe my job in a negative way. I rate them as a proof that I work well. I have to do my best for my players' sake. If I looked only at my immediate gain, I would have kept Pogba in Manchester.

But I put Pogba's interests first, and we decided to go to Turin. Maybe Ferguson only likes those who obey him. 

From his quotes, I understand that Ferguson still doesn't understand who Pogba is. Ferguson was an excellent manager, but the greatest managers may be wrong sometimes.

"

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Pogba left United in 2012 in search of regular football, and at Juventus, he has grown into one of the very best young players in the world. For a United team which had previously struggled in the central midfield areas, not integrating the youngster into the side is counted among Ferguson’s biggest mistakes in his managerial career.

Now, Pogba is reportedly hot property, with some of the biggest names in European football linked with a move for the Frenchman, per Ben Grounds of the MailOnline. Here’s a reminder of why:

For the player, moving to Juventus has been undeniably the right decision. He was given a chance by former boss Antonio Conte, has learned so much from playing alongside the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio and, now, seems ready to become the Bianconeri’s talisman.

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After a tough start to the season, Pogba has burst into life in recent weeks. As noted by FourFourTwo’s Adam Digby (via SiriusXM FC), a virtuoso display to help Juventus beat Manchester City in the Champions League gave us a reminder of his talent:

For the first season in a while, United probably aren’t lamenting the departure of Pogba too much. Indeed, in central midfield, the team is looking very strong, with the summer signings of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin adding to players such as Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini.

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Schweinsteiger has been particularly impressive since signing for the Red Devils. Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News recently regretted United not trying to get him on board earlier in his career:

Further down the line, when Pogba does realise his potential and become a world-class operator, there will be regrets from United about not keeping him on board. But players do sometimes need a change of scenery to galvanise themselves, especially if things just aren’t clicking with their current club.

Raiola will play a key role in Pogba’s development going forward. The agent can come across as a little abrasive on occasion, yet it’s impossible to criticise him for getting the youngster out of Old Trafford when he did when looking at how he has since developed. Hopefully, for Pogba’s sake, Raiola continues to make similarly considered decisions.