Here's why MUFC shouldn't sign Pogba

Not all Red Devils are excited by the return of Paul Pogba to Old Trafford. Football should be about more than just results, and what happens on the pitch.

The signing of Pogba is widely regarded as good news for Manchester United.

Social media is packed full of fans, from across the world, counting down the hours to which photos of the Juventus man, holding a red jersey, clog up Facebook and Twitter.

However, there’s something about the whole affair which makes me inherently uncomfortable.

From a results perspective, Pogba is clearly a talented individual, who brings great credentials to the club and will enhance United’s midfield offering.

But – is this signing really the so-called United way? 

Or is the arrival of Pogba another nail in the coffin of how many supporters like to perceive how the club has traditionally conducted much of its affairs?

Make no mistake – United is a global brand. And, like all other global brands, has spent decades seeking to maximise profit margins.

The club has a logistics partner. An office equipment partner. A global spirits partner. Separate integrated telecommunications partners for Ghana, Bahrain and Thailand, to name just three. Oh, and a paint partner.

However, under Sir Alex Ferguson, the club was successful - to a degree - in straddling this global, corporate identity, with a culture and work ethic that fans were often very proud to embrace. 

Popular players desperate to play for the club. Attacking football. A philosophy cemented in hard work, with knowledge that the club was always bigger than any individual. 

And ask David Beckham, Roy Keane and Ruud van Nistelrooy, all club legends, what happened if you ultimately didn’t adhere. Ruthlessness, in the interests of United. 

There were massive bumps in the road, of course. Withdrawal from the 2000 FA Cup. The Glazer family taking control. Thousands walking away to watch FC United of Manchester. In fact, we were often perhaps deluding ourselves – but, most of the time, for many years, things felt right, even for many of the club’s more old school supporters.

But signing Pogba feels different. 

Pogba walked away from United in 2012. Still in his teenage years, he was furious that he didn’t have more immediate first-team opportunities at one of the biggest clubs in world football.

Indeed, Pogba has publicly outlined the moment he “gave up” on United. The Red Devils played Blackburn Rovers on Sir Alex’s 70th birthday; an 18-year-old Pogba was only named on the bench and that was enough for him to leave.

The most successful manager in the club’s history said Pogba had shown United no respect and that it was “probably better” that he’d be behaving in such a way at a different club.

Now, four years later, United are going to break the bank to get this man back. 

I’ve got over such principled objections to new signings before. United signed Alan Smith in 2004, years after the player publicly said he would never, ever join the Red Devils. Yet his stunning goal in the 7-1 victory over Roma was a moment to savour.

But – as it stands - we’re days away from a new Premier League season. With the Community Shield won, we have the most famous manager in the world, and are about to break the world transfer record for a revered, French midfield star. And yet, I’m far more excited about the Olympics.