Paul Pogba wanted Manchester United 'challenge', says agent Mino Raiola
Monday 19 September 2016 12:36, UK
Paul Pogba joined Manchester United for the challenge and the chance to link up with Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford, according to his agent Mino Raiola.
Raiola was responsible for brokering the £93.25m deal that took Pogba from Juventus to United in the summer and says his client decided against the "easy" option of joining Real Madrid, with Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward's long-standing interest a vital factor in his decision.
"I always say to my players we go where we are needed," Raiola told the Daily Mail. "United will always be one of the biggest clubs in the world whether by reputation or balance sheet.
"Yes, Manchester United had no Champions League and were not champions but they needed us the most.
"We had two offers from the Premier League and two outside. Paul said United was in his heart, Woodward wanted him at United a year ago and Mourinho had wanted him at Chelsea too, so when the two combined we knew it was right."
Pogba has a challenge on his hands after three straight defeats for United, but Raiola insists the France international knew he was taking the more difficult option.
"For the player, Real Madrid would have been easier, La Liga, Champions League, but he wanted the greater challenge.
"I think Manchester United showed the world this summer that they were not going to stand still, they want to be the best."
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