Manchester United legend talks about Paul pogba

Manchester United legend Andy Cole spoke exclusively to ManUtd.com after the announcement that France international Paul Pogba has joined the club from Juventus…

How excited are you about Paul Pogba signing for Manchester United?

Well, judging by his Juventus performances, then I would say I am very excited! He is a top player and everyone is delighted to have
him back.

Specifically, which of Pogba's attributes do you like?

I love his energy - he has great energy in midfield. Watching him as a youngster at United and more so at Juventus, you can see he gets up and down the football pitch. He creates goals and he got himself a few goals last season. He always wants to be involved and on the ball.

Is he exactly the type of player we have lacked in midfield?

Yes because he has energy from box to box. Of course you are going to miss that! However you look at the modern day game, there aren't many players who can do that and he definitely can. It will be good to see how he fits into the team. It has been well documented in recent seasons that United have lacked legs in midfield, a player to get up and down with that power through the middle. It will be nice to have it.

The fee is reportedly a world record and that has apparently beaten off competition from Real Madrid. What does that say about United's intent this summer?

It sounds like Madrid didn't have the money to fund it, reading the reports, so you could say we have beaten them in that respect. If Pogba has chosen Manchester United over Real Madrid for football reasons as well then that is a massive coup, especially knowing that he will miss out on Champions League football for a year because that is a big factor. He got to the quarter-finals last season and the final the year before, so missing out this season is a massive factor. He must be convinced by the future at United.

The reported fee has been a continued talking point – what are your thoughts? 

Wow, the fee, well that is how football is nowadays. If you want to get a top individual at a football club then you have to pay fees.  Football grosses so much money. If you want to buy a player and they say they want £80million or £90million then you have to pay it.  I’m just glad we have a top class player at the club, and one who is young enough to play through his best years at Old Trafford.

You mentioned Paul’s time in the Academy - do you remember the first time you saw him and what was your impression?

Yeah, I remember watching him and he was a very leggy individual. He was obviously growing and his legs seemed to be doing a lot more than his body wanted them to do! But he refined his skill. He played in Italy for four years and he did so well at such a young, tender age. Everyone spoke in Italy about how good he is and that is a testament to how well he did over there.

Jose Mourinho has now acquired all four of the targets he had highlighted. Are you impressed by that ruthless business?

Yeah I have been impressed, you have got to be. Some of the signings over the last few years... I don't know if it was a numbers thing, to get bodies in at a certain time. But Mourinho has come in and specified the four players he wanted and the club has got them all. That reminds me of my time with Sir Alex Ferguson. He identified a player and, nine times out of 10, got the player.