The future of a current Manchester United star has slipped, if briefly, into the background as the excitement surrounding new acquisitions has taken center stage in football's collective psyche.
The drama of Paul Pogba's will-he-won't-he contract has rumbled on for what seems like the bulk of his tumultuous second term at Old Trafford.
With only one year left on his current deal, Pogba's future is up in the air, thanks to regular outbursts from super-agent (and pot-stirrer extraordinaire) Mino Raiola.
More twists and turns have already occurred in the story than in a Raymond Chandler novel. As you may recall, Raiola was clear in December that his client was dissatisfied and determined to quit his current club.
The statements appeared to be made on the eve of United's Champions League final versus RB Leipzig, thus they appeared to be timed for maximum notoriety. United supporters, understandably, responded with a combination of rage and disappointment.
After the uproar cooled down, Raiola backed down a little and even hinted that his high-profile client would be staying in Manchester for a while.
The scenario has gotten so perplexing that followers are analyzing every comment, public word, and tweet in the hopes of uncovering more information.
A comprehensive investigation in The Times tries to uncover the real Paul Pogba while also leaving a few extra breadcrumbs for the seasoned Pogba-detectives out there.
The piece uses insight from those close to the player to demonstrate a more complicated personality than the media-driven stereotype renowned for haircuts, (imminent) documentaries, and dancing, as well as revealing the lesser-known ‘Pogba the Leader' and ‘Pogba the Mature.'
The Dalbys are the focus of the passages that are most relevant to his future at Old Trafford.
There's a good chance you've never heard of the Dalbys. They are, however, the family with whom Pogba stayed during his initial spell at the club, and they are very complimentary of their former house guest and long-time buddy.
They portray an image of a lovable, devoted individual who "would be there at the drop of a hat if you needed him."
“He constantly says, ‘I'll play where I'm happy,'” Paul explains.
His happy place is Manchester. He has a sense of obligation. He's paying it back, and I believe he still has work to do. It is now his turn.”
It's promising coming from someone who is intimately familiar with United's enigma. However, it's far from certain, and with Raiola involved, a transfer demand or promise of allegiance could appear in the public eye at any time.
Last season, Pogba was in superb form for United, looking more collected, effective, and mature than he had in any of the previous four years. From the outside, he appeared to be at ease and content at the club.
However, as the piece demonstrates, it is impossible for fans to truly comprehend what makes the Frenchman tick, and there is much more to him than the media's frequently simplified portrayal of him. Hopefully, he feels a sense of obligation to the club that has pushed the boat out on multiple occasions to make him a United legend.
It hasn't happened yet, but there's still time.
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