Italian Maestro Pirlo Recounts Why Juventus Made Mockery of Man United for Allowing Pogba Leave for Free

• Andrea Pirlo recalled how his then-Juventus teammates were shell-shocked at Paul Pogba's immense quality following his free transfer to the Bianconerri 10 years ago
• The France international opted for a new adventure in Italy when he joined the Old Ladies in the summer of 2012 after his United contract expired
• A decade after the incident, the 2018 World Cup winner has repeated the same routine following his return to Italy after his six-year spell came to an end this summer

Italian football icon Andrea Pirlo once aimed a thinly-veiled dig at Manchester United following the club's decision to allow Paul Pogba to leave for free back in 2012.

Pirlo, who spent a trophy-laden last dance of his glittering career at Juventus, recounted how Pogba's first training session left the Juventus playing body laughing at the Premier League club.

The then-19-year-old France midfielder left Old Trafford on a free transfer in the summer of 2012 and went on to spend four productive years in Italy.

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Pogba made 177 appearances in his first spell with the Bianconerii, scoring 34 goals, and contributing 32 assists with eight titles to boot.

He would make a return to United, however, his homecoming was a bag of disappointment laced with occasional brilliance to cap off an underwhelming six-year spell, prompting a move to Juventus this summer.

Pirlo, who played alongside Pogba at Juventus, recalled how Pogba quickly impressed him and the playing body of the Bianconerri.

"During the first training session, Pogba had with Juventus the players were laughing," Pirlo told the Daily Telegraph via Bleacher Report.

"We were not laughing for any other reason than we were just in total disbelief that this player with so much obvious ability was able to leave a club the size of Manchester United for free—and I think Juventus are still laughing.

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"I will always remember that first day he trained at Juventus. He was only young but we could see he was special."

Pogba outlines three problems he faced at Man United

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Paul Pogba has finally opened up about his six-year tumultuous spell with Manchester United.

The French midfielder brought to an end his long stay with United at the end of last season after he failed to get a contract renewal.

According to The Sun, Pogba re-signed for the Red Devils in 2016 under the then manager, Jose Mourinho, hoping to impact a United side that had struggled post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.