'Helped me to be the player I am today' - Paul Pogba links up with ex-Man Utd coach on pre-season trip to England & gives heartfelt tribute ahead of potential return to action with Monaco

In a video uploaded to his Instagram story Pogba linked up with Joyce on Monaco's pre-season tour in England and was full of praise for the coach, who was manager of United's Under-21 side - then called the Manchester United Reserves - while Pogba was coming through the ranks between 2009-2011. Pogba showed an embarrassed Joyce to the camera and told the world the impact the current Nottingham Forest U18 coach had on him.

Pogba has recently returned from a lengthy doping ban and has joined Ligue 1 side Monaco for a fresh start in his home country. The 2018 World Cup winner has not been in competitive action since September 2023 and so he faces a difficult challenge to ready himself at his new club, a challenge he will no doubt be relishing. Former United star Pogba was on the club's books for three years as a youngster before making a move to Juventus, where he established himself as a world-class talent before returning to Old Trafford for £89 million (€102.6m/$119.3m) in 2016.

Pogba said: "What a day. I'm with one guy that helped me to be where I am today, the player I am today. He's a legend. Joyce, Warren, my guy. I tell you, you're a legend."

Joyce responded in the video, laughing: "He's asking me for selfies, eh? I've been with him all day and people asking for selfies, and now he's asking me for a selfie? I'm charging him."

It may be a slow process back to match sharpness for Pogba, but the 32-year-old will be confident in his ability to shine in Ligue 1 with the aim of knocking on the door for France's World Cup squad. In the meantime, he will be glad to be back out on the training pitch playing the sport he loves. Monaco face Joyce's Forest in a friendly on Saturday.