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Not long ago did a young Frenchman shatter world transfer records, as he returned home to Manchester United. He brought with him experience, exuberance and a correspondingly heavy price tag. Bought for what was deemed a whopping £89.3 million, Paul Pogba returned to England, carrying expectations that outweighed him.
Over the course of last season, Pogba struggled not just with the conditions, but also with the incessant criticism that came along with each and every chance he failed to put away. He struggled to find his feet. He struggled to find the net. He did, however, not once, fail to impress.
Touted to be the next big thing in world football, Pogba hasn't quite lived up to his billing thus far but will be keen to change all that and more this season. Here are 5 reasons why we believe he will take the English Premier League, and the world by storm this season.
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#5 Increased confidence
Nothing instills confidence in a footballer like silverware. While Manchester United had a woeful campaign in the English Premier League last season, they also did pick up 3 trophies along the way. The most notable one being the UEFA Europa League.
Paul Pogba joined Manchester United at a time when the club seemingly had no direction. Sir Alex was gone, David Moyes and Louis van Gaal enjoyed clueless runs and the club was in tatters.
Manchester United were exiled to the UEFA Europa League in what many perceived as the beginning of dark days at the club. Instead of shying away from such a scenario, Paul Pogba not just relocated to Manchester, but also galvanised the squad enough to return as champions from Europe's second best competition.
Cut to present day and you'll see that the Red Devils have begun piling the trophies once again. They conquered the Europa league and ran away with the EFL Cup. Pogba was a central figure in both victories as he helped Manchester United find joy once again. Despite hitting the bar more frequently than an alcoholic, Pogba is bound to have grown in confidence after last season and could be a menacing force to deal with this time around.
If the dab-master could rejuvenate a side that had forgotten what it was like to win, imagine what he'll do with a side that's just won 3 pieces of silverware, including one of Europe's finest.
#4 Jose's second season
Jose 'The Special One' Mourinho is in his second season at Manchester United, and we all know what that means don't we?
The Portuguese tactician has developed a perplexing tenacity to lift league trophies in his second season at a club and has enjoyed unparalleled success across Europe. He has won titles with a platitude of clubs ranging from Porto (who he notably won the UEFA Champions League with and shocked the world) to Real Madrid.
Mourinho is, for some reason, completely indomitable in his second season, having lifted titles with Porto, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea (not once, but twice) - all during the 2nd year of each respective spell.
It would be fair to say that Jose will look to wield his magic yet again, and Pogba could be his weapon of mass destruction. The psychological advantage of playing under Mourinho in his second season could elevate not just Pogba's game, but that of the entire squad.
The forthcoming season will also be Pogba's second season on return to the Old Trafford and the 24-year old will invariably feel a lot more settled. The more comfortable Pogba gets, the more threatening his game becomes, as we've seen during his days at Juventus.
Paul Pogba has become one of the most prominent footballers in the world, and he's done so under the tutelage of "normal" managers. Bolstered by the "Special One", though, he could leave utter chaos and destruction in his wake, to become something else entirely.
#3 No price tag pressure
How heavy do you think £90 million is? Well, Pogba spent most of last season carrying that chip on his shoulder. It doesn't help his case that he was purchased by Manchester United for a world record amount.
The 24-year old was evidently burdened by the weight of the world's unfair expectations over the need to justify his billing. It certainly couldn't have been easy to hear the figure being thrown around every time he missed a goal, or a pass, or anything really.
The murmurs seemed to be weighing him down, while the glances diminished him on the pitch. This season, though, will see Pogba liberated from the chains that tethered him, after Neymar stunningly displaced the Frenchman from atop his perch in world football's 'most expensive' list.
The midfielder himself has admitted that the focus will now be on football and not the money, prompting many to fear what a mentally free Paul Pogba is capable of.
#2 The Lukaku factor
Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku have forged an incredible friendship over the past few years. The duo spend tons of time together off the pitch and will look to extend their camaraderie onto the pitch as well.
It is widely believed that Pogba played a dynamic role in Lukaku's arrival at Manchester United. 'Agent P', as he calls himself, is undoubtedly the happiest with the Red Devils' newest recruit. Lukaku himself has admitted that Pogba helped him make his choice of moving to Manchester United over Chelsea.
Pogba is one of the most amicable figures in the football world and has effortlessly gotten along with almost all his teammates at every club he has played in. However, it is one thing to get along with a colleague and a completely different matter to play alongside someone you already share a rapport with.
Lukaku and Pogba are widely feared players and have achieved great things on their own, with their respective clubs. The thought of the 2 giants playing together is sure to generate waves of panic amid opposition ranks.
Further, Lukaku's presence gives Pogba another option to feed as the Frenchman's flamboyance is sure to complement the Belgian's finishing.
We've all seen what Pogba can do. Now, we will see what Pogba can do when he's happy and content with the company he's in.
Will this season mark the beginning of the Pogkaku era? Will Manchester United's 6 and 9 combine to create magic?
#1 Freedom to attack
The 2016-17 season saw Paul Pogba being visibly tethered by his defensive responsibilities. Micheal Carrick's ageing and Marouane Fellaini's inconsistency meant that Pogba had to sit back and defend ahead of what many perceived to be a weak defence line.
Luckily for the club and its fans, Jose Mouinho wasted no time in identifying the problem and addressing it. The arrival of Nemanja Matic from Chelsea will effectively free Pogba from his defensive duties and allow the Frenchman to drift further up the pitch, allowing him to create a lot more chances than before.
With Matic taking over the mantle of Manchester United's defensive bulwark, Paul Pogba will finally be allowed to exercise his dominance in attack - where many believe he's best suited to be.
Regardless of whether you'll admit it or not, Paul Pogba is set to have an extremely promising season that might just propel Manchester United right back to where they belong - the top.
