Paul Pogba is set to leave Manchester United at the end of the season, having failed to deliver his only promise when he returned to Old Trafford almost six years ago.
Once the January transfer window slams shut next Monday, the 28-year-old will enter the final five months of the contract he signed back in 2016 with the jury still out on his United career.
Pogba's long-awaited homecoming transfer commanded a world-record fee, as Juventus received £89million for the superstar they poached from United as a teenager.
Over the four campaigns between his two spells in Manchester, the club had to watch Pogba blossom into one of the world's best midfielders and begin an illustrious career, and the Frenchman came back promising the sort of titles he got his hands on in Turin.
"The thing with me is I only think about the pitch. I want to do great, I want to be one of the best, I want to win titles," a beaming Pogba stated with intent in his first interview on MUTV.
Join the debate! Should Man Utd cut ties with Pogba? Give us your verdict here.
"I want to achieve things and that's all, that's why I came here, just to do this, to become one of the best and to win titles because I know this club has to win titles.
"I just focus on this and that's it. I'm just ready to go and work on that and just kill it."
Fast forward five-and-a-half years and the only two winners' medals Pogba boasts are for the League Cup and Europa League - not exactly what supporters wanted after that interview.
Of course, the France international was never going to do it alone but the quality he demonstrated while driving his nation to a World Cup win in 2018 left fans pondering just why Pogba looked a different player for the Red Devils.
United supporters have had to watch inconsistent displays and read inflammatory comments from his agent, Mino Raiola, for almost the entirety of his second stint.
Jose Mourinho was hardly an ideal boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was forced to use him on the left wing at times, and injury has prevented him from making a single appearance under Ralf Rangnick.
Pogba continues to assess his options with Raiola but Rangnick has made it crystal clear that he will not waste time trying to persuade the star to stay if he is not truly on board.
"Players have to want to play for a big club like Manchester United," the interim manager affirmed. "If a player does not want to play Manchester United in the medium or long term, I don't think it makes sense to convince him to change his mind."
Rangnick is still happy to play Pogba up until the summer, so long as the No.6 is motivated to perform.
And Raiola has not ruled out a U-turn, despite infamously claiming in December 2020 that it was "over" for his client at Old Trafford.
"We have many offers for him, including a contract extension," he recently told German TV channel Sport1. "We'll see what's best for him."
It may well be over for Pogba soon enough but his choice is clear: stay and try again to deliver on his promises, or make new ones elsewhere.
