Paul Pogba to Manchester United: Failure to sign midfielder could have 'adverse effect mentally,' says Rio Ferdinand
United are locked in negotiations with Juventus and Mino Raiola, the player’s agent, with a reported world-record transfer yet to be agreed
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Rio Ferdinand has warned that failure for Manchester United in their £100m pursuit of Paul Pogba could do serious damage to their Premier League title chances.
United are locked in negotiations with Juventus and Mino Raiola, the player’s agent, with a reported world-record transfer yet to be agreed between the three parties just three days before the Community Shield clash against Leicester City.
Pogba was allowed to leave Old Trafford on Sir Alex Ferguson’s watch four years ago but Jose Mourinho, the third manager to follow in the Scot’s footsteps, has isolated the France international as the final component of his four-pronged transfer strategy this summer.
Ferdinand, 37, said: “I speak to Paul, I know him. He’s someone for whom it’s all about football. It’s not about money. The biggest thing for me and my own family [upon joining United in 2002] wasn’t the money, it was: ‘What’s Giggsy like? What’s Keane like?’
“Paul’s like that. He loves football. It’s all about improving and being the best. When he left I asked him why and he said: ‘I want to be the best player in the world.’ He’s on the right track. He’s not there yet.”
Ferdinand says the consequences of missing out on Pogba’s signature this summer could dent team morale in Mourinho’s dressing room ahead of the new campaign.
He added: “As a player in the changing room, you’ve been thinking for so long: ‘He’s coming, he’s coming’. If he doesn’t sign it could have an adverse effect mentally on the players in the changing room.
“For a short period of time at least. It’s important they sign him.”
Ferdinand admits the nine-figure sum it would take to sign Pogba just four years after United cut him adrift reflects badly on his former employers but insists they won’t lose too much sleep if they can get back to winning major trophies.
“Of course it isn’t [good value] but, listen, when Chelsea sold [Nemanja] Matic and bought him back for £20m-plus it was the same… it’s bigger than that but it’s still a loss. That’s the way it goes. When he comes it’s just going to be down to the black and white: Will he perform? Will Manchester United win trophies?
“That’s how you get judged. People were saying when I went there that £30m was too much but then we started to win and people now look back and think ‘you know what, it wasn’t that expensive’.
“When you can say you’ve won six Premier League titles in 12 years, it’s okay. If he goes there for £100m and in 10 years he wins five titles and earns £100m worth in shirts sales, you’ll say ‘well done, good business.’”
As the saga continues to rumble on, the initial excitement has become anxiety for Old Trafford regulars as Juventus hold out for a fee which would eclipse the £85m package it took for Real Madrid to lure Gareth Bale away from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013.
“Players don’t hold deals up, they either want to go or they don’t,” Ferdinand added. “It’s not the players, it’s the details between the clubs that’s the problem. His personal terms with the club would have been sorted, if they’ve spoken, all them things will be agreed. It’s just about the clubs agreeing little details.”
‘BT Sport is the only place to watch all four major football competitions in one place, with exclusively live coverage of the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and the Emirates FA Cup.
Watch Leicester versus Manchester United in FA Community Shield exclusively live on BT Sport 2 from 3.15pm on Sunday August 7. For more information visit bt/com/sport.’
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments