“I would have been at City” – Former Manchester United star reveals reasons behind failed move to cross-town rivals | OneFootball

Former Manchester United star Paul Pogba has revealed the circumstances that ultimately prevented a seismic cross-town switch to rivals Manchester City.

It was first reported back in May 2022 that the Premier League champions were willing to offer Paul Pogba a four-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, with the option of a further year, as they looked to capitalise on his contractual situation at Old Trafford.

It was believed at the time that the Frenchman was open to working with Pep Guardiola, who in turn believed that Pogba could operate in a deeper role within City’s midfield, while any agreement would see him take a cut to his salary in order to join the blue side of Manchester.

However, despite Fernandinho bringing an end to his time at the club at the end of that same season, Manchester City failed to get an agreement over the line and Paul Pogba left English football once again by returning to Juventus on a free transfer.

But speaking during an exclusive interview with MailSport, the former Manchester United midfielder has admitted that had it not been for his various personal problems in and around 2022, he may now be, or had been, a City player.

“Honestly: I had a lot of problems,” Pogba revealed. “I had the burglary, I had problem with the extortion. I had to leave Manchester.”

He continued, “Let’s say it like this: if I didn’t have that (problems) maybe I would have been at (Manchester) City.

“But with an ‘if’ you can save the world because my head wasn’t about staying in Manchester. But it wasn’t a closed door because I left United for free.”

Manchester City and their hierarchy are seemingly constant in their search for fresh midfield recruitment, and that search has led them to multiple options for the defensive midfield role in particular.

The following summer transfer window after initial links to Paul Pogba at Manchester United would see City heavily invest in the services of Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United, with an initial £42 million fee sanctioned for the England international.

However, having seen struggles from Phillips to integrate into Pep Guardiola’s system on a consistent basis, City find themselves in a similar position to the months that preceded a deal, and Rodri’s long-term injury has only heightened calls for a search to begin again.