RIO FERDINAND says Paul Pogba can become the best player in the world at Manchester United.
Pogba is on the verge of a blockbuster £100m transfer from Juventus – and Ferdinand believes he is worth every penny.
United are prepared to make a massive investment in the France midfielder despite letting him leave for just £800,000 in 2012.
Former Reds defender Ferdinand was a team-mate of Pogba’s during his time at Old Trafford and believes he is coming back to fulfil his destiny.
Ferdinand said: “When he left I asked him why and he said: ‘I want to be the best player in the world.’ He’s on the right track. He’s not there yet.
"Is he worth £100m? I think potentially. The kid at the moment in a Juventus shirt produces magic moments, moments of high class, game-changing moments.
"For £100m, you want someone who’s going to develop into someone who can dictate a game, can win games on his own, can drag his team over the line.
"Can he develop into that player? Yes, I think he’s got the potential to do that.
"People were saying when I went there: ‘Oh it’s too much’ but then we won and people look back and think: ‘You know what, it wasn’t that expensive’ when you can say you’ve won six Premier Leagues in 12 years.
"If he goes there and in 10 years wins five titles and sells £100m-worth of shirts, you’ll say: ‘Well done, good business’."
Pogba will earn in excess of £200,000 a week if United pull off the world record transfer. But Ferdinand insists it’s not about money for the 23-year-old.
He said: “I speak to Paul. I know him. He’s someone who, for him, it’s all about football. It’s not about money.
"The biggest thing for me and my family when I went to United wasn’t the money, it was: ‘What’s Giggsy like? What’s Keane like?’
"Paul’s like that. He loves football. It’s all about improving and being the best.”
Pogba’s transfer has been the saga of the summer, and Ferdinand fears any last-minute collapse in the deal could have serious consequences for United’s title bid.
PRICEY: Pogba's set to become the most expensive player in the world
He said: “If he doesn’t sign, it could have an adverse effect mentally on the players in the dressing room for a short period of time. It’s important they sign him.”
Ferdinand believes the championship will be a two-horse race this season between his old club and Manchester City with Jose Mourinho set to go head to head with his old rival Pep Guardiola.
He said: “You can’t look past those two managers. They’re very influential. Jose will want to prove that the season he had at Chelsea is a one-off.
"It looks like there’s a real focus about him, and I think that’s dangerous, when he’s got that hunger back in his system.
"And Pep is just a proven, serial winner of titles, wherever he’s been, so it makes for a real good season.”
Ferdinand believes Mourinho is one of the best in the business – and wishes he could have played under the Special One.
He said: “I do. I would love to have been able to have played under Mourinho after Sir Alex Ferguson left – it wasn’t to be, but speaking to the players last night, they’re very happy.
"The ambience in the place has turned full circle – there seems to be a genuine belief that they’re on the cusp of something now.
"This new manager has added to that, the signings that they’ve made. There’s a buzz about the place. It’s them or City for me.”
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Source:7mSports
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