Paul Pogba, the former World Cup-winning midfielder, has had his four-year ban for doping reduced to 18 months following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. This decision allows Pogba to resume his professional career in March 2025, after serving a suspension that began following a positive testosterone test in August 2023. Pogba expressed eagerness to return to the pitch, stating, 'I just cannot wait to get back on the pitch.'
However, his club Juventus has shown hesitance regarding his return. Sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli mentioned that the club is awaiting official documentation before making any decisions about Pogba's future with the team. Coach Thiago Motta echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that his focus remains on upcoming matches rather than Pogba's situation.
Meanwhile, Manchester United's pragmatic approach yielded a goalless draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park. The match, characterized by its low excitement, marked the first goalless draw at the venue in the Premier League since May 2021. United's manager Erik ten Hag deployed a conservative strategy that effectively nullified Villa's attack, resulting in a solid defensive performance.
Despite the draw, United's offensive struggles continued, having scored only five goals in their opening seven league matches, their lowest tally since the 1972/73 season. The upcoming fixtures against Brentford, Fenerbahce, West Ham, and Leicester will be crucial for United as they seek to improve their attacking output.