Paul Pogba has completed a return to Manchester United, signing a one-year deal with the club. The French midfielder is back at Old Trafford for a short-term stint, marking another chapter in his career with the Premier League side
The 32-year-old’s return to professional football hasn’t unfolded as hoped following his two-year absence due to a doping suspension.
Pogba joined AS Monaco in late June with a three-month fitness recovery programme mapped out. Minor setbacks delayed his debut until November, but since then, he’s barely featured on the pitch.
His total playing time for Monaco stands at slightly over 30 minutes. A calf problem struck in early December, and he remains absent from first-team sessions. “It’s disappointing for everyone, not only him but our entire family,” acknowledged Mathias Pogba, the former Manchester United and Juventus star’s brother.
During an RMC Sport interview, he elaborated, “I reminded him he couldn’t immediately reach full fitness. We anticipated a smoother comeback, but this is reality. His body hasn’t adapted to such demanding, high-intensity rhythms yet. We’re human, not machines. Recovery requires gradual progression; otherwise, your body protests, which is exactly what’s occurring.”
Pogba signed with Monaco hoping to revive his career and secure selection for Didier Deschamps’ France squad before this summer’s FIFA World Cup. That ambition fades further with each passing day.
Could Pogba’s Monaco contract end prematurely?
Despite everything, Mathias maintains optimism about his brother competing at elite level again. “We remain patient and resilient. Reaching peak performance will require time and dedication. He’s putting in the work. The mental challenge proves hardest—you build expectations, feel motivated, then suffer another setback. It’s about recovering repeatedly; that’s the journey. There’s strong motivation to return, but his body warns against rushing things […] patience is essential. We’ve consistently approached this day by day,” Mathias Pogba explained.
