The France international midfielder was one of the most sought-after talents in world football after spending four productive years in Italy with Juventus.
With the door opened to a big-money move, La Liga giants Real spotted an opportunity to the make the 24-year-old their latest ‘Galactico’.
Pogba, though, had his heart set on a return to Old Trafford, having emerged through United’s academy system, and insists it was an easy decision to favour Manchester over Madrid.
He told the Beyond the Pitch podcast on his summer transfer saga of 2016: “To be honest, Real Madrid came to me and I was thinking to go there, and I was thinking to go to Manchester United too.
“But I always felt it in my heart. My heart told me to come back here, I don’t know why, I didn’t know what was going to happen.
“But I did it, and I don’t regret. I never regret my choice.”
Pogba had made just seven appearances for United prior to leaving the club at the end of his contract in 2012.
He left with Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, but returned under the guidance of Jose Mourinho.
Criticism was levelled at him at times during the 2016-17 campaign, with a world record transfer fee considered to have weighed heavy on his shoulders.
Pogba was, however, to be a leading figure for the Red Devils as they secured Community Shield, EFL Cup and Europa League triumphs.
He was then able to raise his game again at the start of 2017-18, with the arrival of Nemanja Matic to fill a holding role at Old Trafford offering him greater freedom to dictate play.
An untimely hamstring problem did sideline him for 12 games, while a red card at Arsenal means he is currently serving a suspension, but United have looked much sharper with him back in their ranks and are understandably delighted that they were able to pip Real Madrid to his signature.
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