Jose Mourinho said that it is “amazing” that Paul Pogba is set to return to Manchester United, but added that the midfielder needs to work hard to come into the team.
The France midfielder’s current club Juventus confirmed on Sunday that Pogba had been given permission to have a medical at United and the Premier League club then confirmed that news two hours later.
United were preparing to face Leicester City, who they went on to defeat 2-1 at Wembley and lift the Community Shield.
When asked about the Pogba move being finally done after the Leicester game, Mourinho told BT Sport: “I think so, finally. It’s an amazing situation that such a great player is with us. Finally we have him.
“He comes to a winning side, who have won the Cup Final and the Community Shield. He has to work hard to come to the team. I only heard this information just before the game.”
When the deal is completed, it is set to break the world record transfer fee and is expected to be around £95 million plus £20m in agent fees.
And Mourinho went on to suggest that the return to Old Trafford for Pogba is the “perfect” move for the France international.
“United is the perfect club to bring him to the level he wants to be,” said Mourinho, who expects Pogba to complete the deal by Tuesday.
“The Premier League is the perfect habitat for that. If you want to be the best player in the world, if you go to Barcelona or Real Madrid you are in trouble because I don’t think the other two big guys [Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo] will let you.
“Here he is in the most seen, worldwide, championship which is absolutely incredible, with a team which wants to bring Manchester United to the top again. We have everything to give him and we know the reasons why he wants to come to us.
“Money he would get at any big club. He comes because he knows the club, knows the city, many of the players and wants to be an important part of the project. Hopefully everything goes well.”
Mourinho said he could not confirm the price tag, but does not believe it is an issue.
“I don’t think Real were upset when they broke the record with Gareth Bale or Cristiano. I don’t think it’s a reason to be sad — it’s a reason to be proud,” he said.
“Football is crazy and the market has become crazy. What you think this season is crazy, you realise three years later it’s not crazy any more.
“There are players who cost £10m who are super expensive because they’re players [who are worth] £500,000 or £1m. What is expensive and not expensive in football? I don’t know any more. I just know he is a big player.”
The Italian champions beat West Ham 3-2 in a friendly on Sunday at the London Stadium.
Afterward, Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri seemed resigned to losing Pogba, having previously claimed the player was due back at training on Monday.
After his side’s 3-2 win over the Hammers, Allegri said: “I spoke about Pogba the day before. We have just finished a match and I don’t know much more.
“We will see tomorrow [Monday] if he is a still Juventus player.”
Pogba was giving little away when he wrote on Twitter: “When too many people talk nobody understands…talk very soon.”
The Frenchman joined Juventus from United in 2012 for a cut-price £800,000, and in four seasons in Turin has won four league titles.
He is set to become Mourinho’s fourth signing at Old Trafford following the captures of Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Pogba could prove good value for money, even if he does not have the reputation of being a prolific scorer.
Speaking on BT Sport 2 ahead of the Community Shield, he said: “First of all I thought if he’s not getting 40 goals a season, like a [Luis] Suarez, Bale, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Lionel] Messi, etc, then he can’t be worth that.
“But if he becomes as influential as a [Paul] Scholes, a [Frank] Lampard, a [Steven] Gerrard, a [Patrick] Vieira or a [Roy] Keane, then you say it’s money well spent.
“You’ve got to speculate, sometimes.
“[If] he’s the best around in terms of potential, in terms of the age, the fit for the club, the personality and the character, go for it.”
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