Ronaldo set to influence Pogba's Juventus return

The French international put behind him a season in which he was largely criticised for series of poor performances as he played a pivotal role in France's World Cup triumph.

Now a World champions, Pogba seems to have rediscovered himself in Russia after a somewhat  frustrating season on a personal note, and wants to continue the progress made under Didier Deschamp and step out  of Jose Mourinho's tactical shadow, which many people believe is debilitating.

A return to Juventus now looks likely following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo to Turin.

And events at the World Cup served to enhance the midfielder's understanding of his own game and thus how different his style and football are from the mantra demanded of him by the self-styled special one.

Then it would seem the Portuguese's philosophy does not suit the style of Paul Pogba, and it was all obvious as the Frenchman looked lost in most matches, save for the Manchester derby in which he scored twice as United recorded one of the fixture's dramatic comebacks.

After Ronaldo's move to the Italian champions was confirmed, Pogba is believed to have informed the United hierarch, through Mino Raiola, his agent, of his intention to return to Turin.

Considering that the Red Devils paid 114 million euros for Pogba only two years ago, a return to Italy looks complicated if perhaps not impossible, but the former youth player believes Juventus is a place to be.

Indeed, his best football came in Italy before his return to Lancashire and Raiola has spent the last month looking for alternative clubs to ply his trade with.

Barcelona were sounded out but discussions failed to progress past initial consultations.

United are determined to hold onto their record signing and thus Pogba faces a fight to leave, with himself and Sergio Romero the only of Raiola's players still at the club after a number of his clients joined in the summer of 2016.