When Paul Pogba re-signed for Manchester United back in 2016, few could have envisaged that just five years on the club would be on the verge of losing him for free - again.
The Red Devils splashed out a whopping £89 million to bring the Frenchman back to Old Trafford, yet his return to the club has been marred by constant transfer speculation and prolonged dips in form.
Few could argue that his second spell at the club hasn't been littered with moments of brilliance, but if he does leave for free in less than 12 months' time you'd be hard pushed to call his return to the club a success.
Losing him on a free next summer would undoubtedly represent an economical nightmare for the club.
However, if he can help deliver United their first piece of silverware since 2017, there's every chance he could depart Old Trafford with the blessing of the fans.
There is no denying the talent Pogba possesses and he would undoubtedly be inundated with options if he were to part ways with Manchester United next summer.
But there would be a huge element of unfulfilled potential if he were to leave the club without a trophy in what will be his final four seasons in Manchester.
Nonetheless, football is a sport of incredibly fine margins and if Pogba can spearhead United to success - just as he did in his side's Premier League opener against Leeds - then there will be much more room for understanding from fans if his heart does lie elsewhere.
There's no doubt that Pogba will be putting pen to paper at some point in the next 12 months, but which club he'll be committing his future to remains a key talking point following his fine display against Leeds on Saturday.
With the Red Devils' hierarchy having already sanctioned the marquee signings of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane this summer, the United rebuild is finally taking shape, and there's still a good chance the ambition being shown by the club could be enough to temp Pogba into signing a new deal at the club.
The Frenchman often splits opinion, but what appears rather unanimous from the perspective of United fans is that they want him to stay.
The only way in which he'll be able to leave without any animosity from his adoring fans is if he gives it his all and aids United’s quest for silverware.
Having already registered four assists - one more than he tallied for the whole of the 2020/21 season - Pogba has started the new campaign as well as he can.
His stellar performance against Marcelo Bielsa's side saw him become the first United player to register four or more assists in a single Premier League game, though United need him to produce on a consistent basis if they're to challenge for trophies this season.
Nobody can deny the attributes Pogba has at his disposal, but the only way in which United fans will be even remotely understanding of him leaving on a free transfer for the second time in his career, would be if the player showcases his unbelievable talents for the remainder of his contract.
Do you think Pogba will leave? Follow our new United Fan Brands Writer Anil Kandola on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
