Former Manchester United star Paul Pogba has revealed why he turned down the opportunity to make the switch to local rivals Manchester City.
The Frenchman left the Red Devils as a free agent, for the second time, in 2022 after making more than 200 appearance for the club, during which he amassed 39 goals and 48 assists from midfield, although many believe he failed to live up to expectations at Old Trafford after his £89 million (around R2 billion) move from Juventus in 2016.
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The player also struggled with injuries during the latter stages of his time with the Premier League outfit.
The France international has revealed that he rejected the opportunity to join Pep Guardiola and the Citizens after his contract United expired, and instead opted to return to the Bianconeri.
The 31-year-old, speaking to the Daily Mail, went on to explain why he decided against a move to his former rivals.
"Honestly, I had a lot of problems," Pogba explained.
"I had the burglary, I had problem with the extortion. I had to leave Manchester.
"Let's say it like this: if I didn't have that (problems), maybe I would have been at City, but with an 'if' you can save the world because my head wasn't about staying in Manchester.
"But it wasn't a closed door because I left United for free."
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner recently learned that his four-year ban for failing a drug test last year has been reduced to 18 months.
The midfielder will thus be able to start playing once again in March 2025, and will be allowed to start training with a club in January.
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Where he will be playing, however, is a matter that has not yet been confirmed.
"For now, I still have a contract with Juventus, we are talking to them and we will see what happens," Pogba added.
"My main focus is to get back on the field and training. Be on the pitch with a ball with other players.
"I've been training on my own for a year. It's lonely. I will be very happy to get back training."