Well, here we go again. Another nine months of blood sweat and undoubted tears for all of us who love the game. By the way, what a fabulous World Cup. I haven't seen games like that since 1982. After my condemnation of the infamous VAR during its ill-fated debut in the FA Cup last season, I have to admit the system worked in Russia.
Notwithstanding all of that, nothing prepared me for the performances of Paul Pogba.
Even Jose Mourinho had to acknowledge Pogba's enormous success when he remarked: "I hope he remembers what made him so good."
This was Mourinho at his best, of course. He recognised Pogba's achievements while lacing the comment with strychnine! The veiled threat suggested that if the World Cup winner doesn't perform for him in the way he did for Didier Deschamps, he could once again find himself sitting on the Manchester United bench - or on his way.
However, the universal approval of Pogba's performance in the World Cup spoke volumes about his discipline and selflessness for the cause. The player even dispensed with the grandiose hairstyles in order to minimise the attention on himself and place the emphasis on the team.
Pogba is no Glenn Hoddle - or Paul Gascoigne, for that matter - but he is a Martin Peters.
All three players played for their country but only Peters won a World Cup. I really hope Pogba can shove Mourinho's hollow accolade down his throat and become the United legend he craves to be.
What the Frenchman delivered in Russia was magnificent. The question is, can he deliver the Premier League title for Mourinho at United? Only that will grant him legendary status at Old Trafford.
no way he actually watched the game
