The Prodigal Son Returns: what will Paul Pogba bring to Man United?

It’s the biggest transfer in history and a saga that at times looked set to run and run, but finally it looks like Paul Pogba will once again become a Manchester United player.

Since he left Manchester in 2012 he has gone on to become one of the most formidable midfielders in the world and a talisman for a Juventus side that have won five successive Scudetti.  So what can Premier League fans expect from his return to England?

(Graphics courtesy of football predictions specialists KickOff)

Pogba has delivered a consistent goal tally over his last three seasons in Turin, with an average of 9 goals per season. He’s also delivered his fair share of assists, with an average of 10 per season over the last three campaigns.

As the seasons pass he continues to build on his achievements and grow as a player, hence the excitement around him heading into Euro 2016.

And while he struggled to live up to expectations at the tournament, he’s widely tipped to play his best football in the Premier League, where his muscular, direct and pacey playing style will be rewarded.

His new manager Jose Mourinho is also known to favour physically powerful players, with Michael Essien among his former charges during his first tenure at Chelsea (before taking him on loan during his time as Real Madrid manager) and possessing many similarities to the young Frenchman.

With a £100 million price tag, you can expect him to play every single minute of football for Man United this season. But inevitably his inclusion in the team means someone will miss out.

Many believe the team have missed a capable box-to-box midfielder since the retirement of Paul Scholes. Players have been purchased in recent seasons to fill the hole, with Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini two very different players in stylistic terms that were purchased to do the job.

Pogba embodies many of the best attributes that both those players have. The height, power and goal threat of Fellaini, coupled with the technical skills and vision of Herrera. Which player will be axed from the team, and how Juan Mata (a player Mourinho famously sold to Manchester United) remains to be seen.

The pressure to play his £100 million man will be intense for Mourinho though, and the number of opportunities for those hoping to grab a starting berth in the centre of the team’s midfield seem to be getting slimmer by the day.