France midfielder Paul Pogba claims that “coach, team, position” had “blocked” him at former club Manchester United.
The 29-year-old has rejoined Juventus after leaving United when his contract at Old Trafford expired.
“I’m happy with the choices I’ve made in my life,” he said.
“Sometimes you make choices that don’t go your way but I’m happy with the years in Manchester. I grew up, I learned, I became a man.”
Pogba, who came through United’s academy, left the club in 2012 to join Juventus, where he won the Serie A title four times before returning to Old Trafford for a then-world-record £89 million transfer in 2016.
He won the EFL Cup and the Europa League with United in his first season back, but those were the only trophies he won during his second stint with the club.
Following his return to United, he played for managers Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick, and Ralf Rangnick, all of whom failed to replicate his finest form on a consistent basis.
However, Pogba, who has 91 international caps, was instrumental in France’s World Cup victory in Russia in 2018.
“Changing [Manchester United] coach every year is hard – this was a difficult aspect for me,” said Pogba. “Then there were a few injuries, but I think it was also a mental thing – playing and not playing makes you lose pace.
“There is a bit of everything: coach, team, position. All this has blocked me a bit.
“Now, however, I have left and you will see another Paul. I can do better than in recent years.”
Pogba has signed a four-year contract with Juventus, who finished fourth in Serie A last season.
He added: “I am happy to go home, this is how I feel here. This is something more than a dream. I am very happy.
“There were other teams interested, but my heart chose Juventus. I was fine here before and I’m fine now, I just want to do well.
“I can’t wait to start and help the team. I hope to do better than last time.”
Pogba has a message for Barcelona
Paul Pogba appears to be raring to go after returning to his old haunts and has sent a message to Barcelona ahead of their pre-season clash in less than two weeks, saying: “Hi Barça. We’ll see you in Dallas. “I cannot wait!”
As previously stated, this will be Pogba’s second tenure with Juventus. He was a member of the Bianconeri team that lost to Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League finals in 2014/15.
Barça and Juventus have played against each other on four occasions in the past in the United States.
The latest such encounter happened in 2017, with the Catalans emerging victorious on that occasion at the Metlife Stadium, New Jersey.
