Ex-Man United star Paul Pogba posts cryptic four-word message as he prepares for transfer
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is bidding to restart his professional career after serving a doping ban
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has documented his fitness journey as he bids to return to professional football for the first time in nearly two years.
The 2018 World Cup winner, who had two spells at Old Trafford, has not played professionally since August 2023, when he was hit with a suspension for failing a drugs test after playing in Juventus' 3-0 win against Udinese.
The Frenchman was originally hit with a four-year ban, reduced to 18 months after a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Following the appeal, Juventus and Pogba announced that they had decided to terminate his contract.
Pogba, still a free agent, has been free to return to team training since January and make his return to the pitch in March, though he has yet to sign for a new side after his release from the Italian giants. There was some light speculation around a potential return to United.
On Monday, Pogba, who cost United £89m when they re-signed him in 2016, uploaded a selfie to his Instagram story after a training session, with the caption (when translated) which read: "The taste of effort".
Since serving his ban, Pogba has been linked with moves to the MLS and Saudi Pro League, as well as a stunning return to United.
The 32-year-old made than 200 appearances for the Reds across two spells at Old Trafford between 2019 and 2012, and 2016 and 2022.
Pogba won the Europa League and FA Cup with United before leaving when his contract expired at the end of the 2021-22 season.
Asked if he would ever consider a return to United, Pogba told Sky Sports in October 2024: "I don't want to lose the level I am at. If I can surpass it, this is what I want. I'm still the same player but with a different hunger. I am more motivated. I am more hungry.
"I will appreciate the game more than before after it was taken away from me. I realised how important it was for me. I tasted what life is after the career."
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