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Paul Pogba has hinted that he rejected a move to Real Madrid before signing with Manchester United.
In his first official interview as a United player, speaking to MUTV, the Frenchman said: "My deepest respect to the clubs who considered having me."
Which would suggest that, as reported widely, United were not the only club in the running for his signature, with Real Madrid thought to have been keen on signing the talented midfielder.
It is believed that Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane was extremely keen on having Pogba join Los Blancos, and even contacted the player to try to convince him to reject United's advances in favour of a move to the Bernabéu.
But ultimately, the European champions could not compete with the type of money the Red Devils were willing to throw at the deal, and withdrew their interest.
In the early hours of this morning, via social media, United confirmed that they had completed a deal to sign Pogba from Juventus, taking the 23-year-old back to the club he left as a teenager in 2012.
Pogba has become the most expensive player in the history of football, with the £89 million fee United have forked out eclipsing the £85.3 million that Real Madrid paid to sign Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013.
Pogba will wear the number 6 jersey at United this season, and he has become United's fourth major summer signing since José Mourinho's arrival as manager.
Written by Ryan Baldi
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