Archive video: Paul Pogba downs Pompey Academy

By The Newsroom
Published 10th Aug 2016, 15:10 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 18:44 BST
Paul Pogba this week became the world's most expensive footballerPaul Pogba this week became the world's most expensive footballer
Paul Pogba this week became the world's most expensive footballer
This week Manchester United set a new world transfer record by re-signing Paul Pogba from Juventus for £89m.

But five-and-a-half years ago the French superstar found himself in very different surroundings.

On January 10, 2011 Pogba lined up at Altrincham’s Moss Ground to face Pompey Academy in the FA Youth Cup.

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Among his team-mates that day, Pogba could include current United players Sam Johnstone, Will Keane, Tyler Blackett and Jesse Lingard, as well as fellow Premier League players Michael Keane (Burnley) and Zeki Fryers (Crystal Palace).

Paul Pogba this week became the world's most expensive footballerPaul Pogba this week became the world's most expensive footballer
Paul Pogba this week became the world's most expensive footballer

Living up to his star billing, Pogba opened the scoring with a thunderous strike from 35 yards past Pompey keeper Tom Fry – much to the delight of the onlooking Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton.

It was a goal which gave life to a promising United side but Blues defenders Sam Magri and Dan Bennett kept Pompey in it.

A Fry own-goal and a penalty from Gyliano Van Velzen then put impressive United 3-0 up before a late Pompey fightback caused a real scare.