Jesse Lingard sends throwback birthday message to former Man Utd star and 'day one' Paul Pogba as recently-banned midfielder turns 31

The French World Cup winner turned 31 today under the shadow of a four-year drug ban which was recently handed down by Italian anti-doping authorities.

Lingard and Pogba were youth prospects together at Old Trafford and established first team players when Pogba returned to Manchester after his first spell at Juventus. Lingard's message recalled their early days together at Old Trafford with a clip of an elaborate handshake routine.

"Happy birthday to my day1 Paul Pogba," Lingard posted via Instagram Stories.

It's a brief message alongside a daft handshake routine but on some levels it's a poignant reminder of two careers that have gone awry. While Pogba's career hit the heights of a World Cup win with France in 2018, it's hard to shake the feeling that he may never play at the highest level again.

Lingard looked to have found his stride again after a superb loan spell at West Ham in 2021 but failed to make an impact when he returned to United and became a free agent after an underwhelming season at Nottingham Forest last term. The winger surprised everyone by signing for South Korean side FC Seoul, who he made his debut for earlier this month.

While Pogba tries to figure out whether there is any way of salvaging his career when he completes his ban, Lingard will take another step on the road to match fitness when his side take on Jeju United on Saturday.