Empoli 0-3 Juventus: Higuain at the double as Juve extend lead at top of Serie A

The former Napoli striker bagged two goals in three minutes as the Old Lady further cemented their place at the top of the league

Gonzalo Higuain was at the double as three goals in the space of five second-half minutes sealed a 3-0 victory for Serie A leaders Juventus against struggling Empoli on Sunday.

RUMOURS: Pogba's ex-team-mates 'betrayed' by Manchester United move

The France international broke the world transfer record in the summer with his move to Old Trafford, but the decision to leave has apparently not gone down well in Turin

Paul Pogba's blockbuster move from Juventus to Manchester United has left his old team-mates feeling betrayed, according to Tuttosport. 

The France midfielder smashed the world transfer record with his return to Old Trafford, after a saga that lasted for weeks before his departure from Turin was finally confirmed. 

But according to reports, stars like Paulo Dybala expected Pogba to stay at least another season with the Italian champions and his decision to leave was not taken well in the dressing room. 

Lazio 0-1 Juventus: Khedira fires Allegri's men to victory

The German midfielder's fine second half finish was enough for the Bianconeri to pick up a second consecutive Serie A win

Sami Khedira's second goal in as many games secured Juventus a 1-0 Serie A triumph at Lazio on Saturday despite new signing Gonzalo Higuain starting on the bench once again.

Despite netting the winning goal in Juve's 2-1 defeat of Fiorentina last time out, the Argentina star was still was not fit enough to start, but that ultimately mattered little, as Khedira scored just a few moments after the striker's 65th-minute introduction.

There was nothing to separate the two sides during a tepid first half in Rome, with the respective defences on top and clear-cut chances rare.

But the second period started with an instant improvement as Juve took the game to their hosts, with Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala and Khedira all going close in a frenetic four-minute spell.

The German was not to be denied twice, though, as he fired across Federico Marchetti 24 minutes from time to put victory in the visitors' sights.

Juve then proceeded to tighten their hold on the match and, while Lazio pressed for a late equaliser, the champions had little trouble keeping them at bay to make it two wins from two. 

After only stealing victory late on against Fiorentina last time out, Juve looked intent on putting Lazio under pressure significantly earlier at Stadio Olimpico and went close to breaking the deadlock 10 minutes in.

Alex Sandro charged down Dusan Basta's clearance and the ball dropped kindly for Dybala, whose header forced Marchetti to scramble across his goalline and desperately push it away.

The hosts grew into the match, though, and caused some panic of their own in the Juve defence, as Felipe Anderson's right-wing delivery flashed across the goal and forced Dani Alves into an acrobatic clearance before Ciro Immobile could nod in with 24 minutes gone.

That proved to be an isolated moment of worry for Juve, whereas Marchetti was again forced to clamber 10 minutes later, just about stopping Kwadwo Asamoah's deflected volley from creeping under the crossbar.

Proceedings became more frantic after the break and Juve went close twice in quick succession early on – Mandzukic blasting at Marchetti from 18 yards, before Dybala fired just wide of the right-hand post from the rebound.

Higuain was eventually brought on in the 65th minute and Juve had the lead a minute later.

The goal came from a more unlikely source, though, as Khedira latched on to Dybala's pass into the right side of the area and the German found the bottom-far corner with a smart finish.

Lazio's efforts failed to produce any clear opportunities and, when Marco Parolo's long-range effort was comfortably gobbled up by Gianluigi Buffon five minutes from the end, the hosts' chances of a late comeback were effectively ended.

Juventus 2-1 Fiorentina: Super sub Higuain nets winner on debut

Last term's Serie A top scorer marked his first appearance in Bianconeri colours with a decisive contribution, giving the hosts a winning start to their title defence

Gonzalo Higuain came off the bench to score the winner on his Juventus debut, as the Italian champions battled to a 2-1 victory over Fiorentina on Saturday.

The €90 million signing was left out of Massimiliano Allegri's starting XI alongside fellow arrival Miralem Pjanic as the Bianconeri opened their Serie A campaign.

Despite beginning without their big-name signings, Juventus seized the initiative late in the first half when Sami Khedira rose highest to nod home Giorgio Chiellini's cross.

Higuain was then introduced in the 66th minute, but his first appearance in Bianconeri colours did not begin as expected as Nikola Kalinic pulled Fiorentina level with a brilliant header - one of their first meaningful attempts on goal.

That only set up the stage for Higuain to make his decisive contribution, however, as the striker got on the end of a loose ball in the 75th minute to stab home to the joy of the home crowd.

With Higuain on the bench, Mario Mandzukic - who scored twice against Fiorentina last season - started up front and Dani Alves was the only off-season recruit in the hosts' line-up.

Juve enjoyed a typically authoritative start and they should have been ahead within four minutes when Ciprian Tatarusanu's rushed clearance fell kindly for Khedira, who wastefully lifted his effort onto the roof of the net.

Fiorentina were becoming increasingly suspect in defence and debutant Davide Astori was fortunate to survive a penalty appeal when a cross bounced against his left hand.

And it was little surprise when Juve made the breakthrough in the 37th minute.

Chiellini crossed brilliantly from the left and Khedira was clinical this time with a thumping header high past Tatarusanu.

Alex Sandro then squandered an opportunity to double the lead in the final minute of the half, blazing over after Mandzukic had superbly played him in.

Paulo Dybala stabbed a low effort straight at the goalkeeper shortly after the restart, but Juve's momentum slowed and Higuain was summoned from the bench.

The move did not pay immediate dividends, though, as Kalinic rose above Sandro from a Fiorentina corner to brilliantly nod low past Gianluigi Buffon.

However, Fiorentina's joy was short-lived. Khedira's initial effort was blocked, but Higuain was alert to pounce on the loose ball and poke home the winner from tight inside the six-yard box.

Mario Lemina was twice denied a third goal in the closing stages, but it mattered little for the Juve faithful who were left to celebrate their new hero.

Juventus 2-2 Espanyol: Dybala brilliance seals draw on Higuain's first start

Gonzalo Higuain made his first start since signing for his new club but could not find the target with the Argentine and Mario Mandzukic on target for the Italian champions

Juventus were denied a fourth pre-season win in a row as they were held 2-2 by Espanyol on Saturday.

The Serie A champions, who handed a first start to €90 million signing Gonzalo Higuain, rescued a draw in the closing minutes through a brilliant Paulo Dybala strike after Gerard Moreno looked to have given the 10-man La Liga side the victory.

Espanyol had earlier taken the lead 10 minutes before half-time, as Baptistao turned inside Andrea Barzagli before slotting a clever finish past Gianluigi Buffon, with Mario Mandzukic equalising nine mintues after the restart for Juve.

Massimiliano Allegri named a strong starting line-up but his side struggled to find their rhythm against a side who had gone unbeaten in pre-season prior to Saturday's contest in Mondena.

The first half ended on a sour note, however, when a nasty clash of heads between Pablo Piatti and Hernan Perez forced the latter to be replaced by Jose Manuel Jurado after lengthy treatment on the pitch.

Dybala twice came close to an equaliser just after half-time, forcing Roberto into a good save before just failing to collect a high ball in behind the Espanyol defence.

Mandzukic rattled the post with a header as Juve began to step up their search for a goal, but the Croatian made no mistake just four minutes later.

Kwadwo Asamoah raced onto Dybala's clever flighted pass, before turning a low cross back into the six-yard area, where Mandzukic was on hand to bundle home.

Quique Sanchez Flores' side were forced to play the final 13 minutes with 10 men after Victor Sanchez picked up a second yellow card, but they struck on the break with three minutes to play to regain the lead.

Substitute goalkeeper Neto made a brilliant save to deny Jurado's half-volley, but Moreno was on hand to tap into the unguarded net.

Juve were facing their first pre-season defeat since a penalty shootout loss to Melbourne Victory last month, but Dybala rescued the draw with a sublime left-footed shot from 20 yards that nestled into the top-right corner.

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The Pogba Debate: Waste of money or Man Utd's messiah?

With the Frenchman having completed his record-breaking return to Old Trafford from Juventus, Goal pits two writers against each other over whether he's the right or wrong man

The deal is finally done. The wait is over at last. The longest-running transfer saga of the summer has ended with Manchester United making Paul Pogba the most expensive player in football history by agreeing to pay Juventus £93.8 million for the France international.

It is a remarkable move for many reasons, not least because the Bianconeri only had to hand over €800,000 in compensation to the Red Devils when they signed the midfielder on a free transfer four years ago.

Not that United fans care. They are understandably overjoyed by Pogba's return - but many neutrals are staggered by the size of the free, given this is a player who is coming off the back of an underwhelming and unsuccessful Euro 2016 campaign.

As a result, Goal has decided to pitted two opposing views against one another in a debate over whether the 23-year-old represents a sound investment...

                                                   THE RIGHT MAN FOR MAN UTD

By Mark Doyle

It has taken Manchester United four years to realise what was immediately evident to Andrea Pirlo. "We saw from his first training session with Juventus that he was special," the former Bianconeri playmaker revealed earlier this year. "There was a disbelief among the senior players that Manchester United had allowed him to leave." Indeed, Juve captain Gianluigi Buffon admitted, "We thought they maybe needed glasses in Manchester!"

While Alex Ferguson may have been guilty of shocking short-sightedness, United have, at least, belatedly seen the error of the ways, breaking the transfer fee world record to bring Pogba back to Old Trafford. Is he worth €105m? In truth, no player should command such a fee. As Arsene Wenger quite rightly pointed out, "It is completely crazy if you compare it to normal life."

However, there is nothing normal about the world of football and in an environment in which most people know the price of everything but the value of nothing, Pogba's price tag makes sense.

On a commercial level (and, rather sadly, this counts for a lot these days), United have just acquired one of the most marketable young sports stars on the planet. From a footballing perspective, they have just reclaimed the most complete midfielder in the game today.

"I have never seen a player who is so good at his age," Buffon enthused last year. "He is so strong, so technically gifted, has exceptional all-round play. Pogba can do things only Pogba can, similar to [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo."

He is not yet at the same level as those two living legends but the point is that he undoubtedly has the ability to get there. Like Messi, he is a former Golden Boy winner, while he has already played a key role in four successive Serie A title triumphs. Pogba has been improving at a rapid rate - nobody racked up more assists in Italy's top flight last season (12) - and the exciting thing for United is that he is only going to get better.

Indeed, it is only a matter of time before he wins the Ballon d'Or and, in truth, the question is not really whether Pogba will prove good enough to meet United's expectations - but whether they will prove good enough to meet his.
                                            THE WRONG MAN FOR MAN UTD

By Miles Chambers

Paul Pogba is not Manchester United's messiah; he's a very overpriced boy.

This is a deal that sits outside the realms of reason, logic and good taste. Splashing a €110 million transfer fee for a player who isn't a matchwinner like Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale is absurd, as is Pogba's desire to watch Juventus challenge for Champions League while he slugs away in the Europa League with Man Utd.

Make no mistake, Pogba is extremely talented. Graced with a poise and pizzazz that few midfielders on the planet are able to match, the 23-year-old has grown into the beating heart of a Juventus side that dominate Italian football.

But is he worth €110 million? Does he deserve the tag of the most expensive player in history? Will Jose Mourinho play him in his ideal position? No, probably not, and definitely not.

Mourinho plays 4-2-3-1 and Pogba is expected to sit alongside a defensive midfielder behind the four attackers. That won't suit Pogba, who is allowed to roam forwards in an attack-minded central midfield position for Juve.

Pogba didn't perform as well for France this summer in a more restrictive role and yet the suits with more money than sense at Old Trafford have decreed that he'll fit into an overrated manager's outdated system without difficulty.

And let's also be clear about something: Serie A is very different to the Premier League. Pogba was a big fish in a small pond in Italy, where Juventus reign supreme and the style of football is distinctly different.

In stark contrast, Man Utd couldn't make the top four last season and will be relying on two over-the-hill strikers (Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney), a promising but inconsistent forward (Anthony Martial), and a teenager with tons of talent but very limited experience (Marcus Rashford) to fire them to glory in 2016-17. Pogba's got magical feet but he's not Houdini.

Fifteen years ago, Man Utd broke the English football transfer record by spending £28.1 million on Serie A midfield star Juan Sebastian Veron. The Argentine was expected to be a superstar but couldn't adapt to the pace of the Premier League and, though Sir Alex Ferguson branded Veron's critics "f*cking idiots" during his two-year spell at Old Trafford, he is widely considered one of the biggest flops in the club's history.

A decade later, Fergie was the "f*cking idiot" for disillusioning Pogba and it's cost Man Utd a nine-figure sum to buy him back. And like Veron's transfer 15 years ago, this is likely to be another case of a talented midfielder burdened with a huge transfer fee not fitting a belligerent Man Utd manager's masterplan.

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Manchester United Announce Pogba's Medical

The 23-year-old is on the verge of completing a world-record £92 million return to the club he left in 2012 after Juventus granted permission for an examination

Paul Pogba is set to undergo a medical ahead of completing a world-record move to Manchester United, the club have confirmed.

The 23-year-old has been granted permission by Juventus to seal a £92 million transfer four years after leaving for Italy for a nominal fee, which will eclipse Gareth Bale's £86 million move to Real Madrid in 2013.

Pogba made just seven appearances for United under Sir Alex Ferguson before leaving and is now on the verge of becoming Jose Mourinho's fourth summer signing after Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. 

Confirmation of the medical comes an hour before Mourinho leads United out at Wembley in the Community Shield season curtain-raiser against Premier League champions Leicester City.

Pogba's arrival is expected to mark an end to United's summer business, with Mourinho hinting at the France international's imminent arrival when talking to reporters on Friday.

THE ASTONISHING NUMBERS BEHIND MANCHESTER UNITED'S MEGA DEAL FOR POGBA

The France International is set to return to Old Trafford from Serie A champions Juventus as a result of a transfer involving eye-watering figures.
When it is finally completed after a saga lasting most of the summer, Paul Pogba's transfer will represent a monumental pay-out by Manchester United. The fact Juventus will receive a world-record fee is just the start of the roll call of mind-boggling numbers involved in the Frenchman's move.
Pogba is set to become a United player this week,after four years leaving Manchester United for a compensation fee after the expiry of his contract in 2012. Having seen Pogba depart from Italy without a single first team start to his name, the Red Devils surely can't have foreseen forking out over 200 million Euros for the midfielder to return to the north-west of England.

That is how much this deal will cost Manchester United when all is said and done. The 92m Euros transfer fee, which surpasses the 86m Euros Real Madrid paid Tottenham for Gareth Bale in 2013 as the most expensive ever, fails to cover even half of the total cost to Jose Mourinho's outfit.
A large reason for the protracted nature of the deal was the wrangling over which club would be expected tp pay a substantial fee to Pogba's agent, Mino Railo. In a bid to force the transfer through, United eventually accepted that it is they who will fork out the 20 pay-off to the Italo-Dutch 'super agent', taking the overall fee to 112m Euros.
And then, of course, there is the player's wages. While Pogba currently earns round 4m at the Juventus Stadium, he is set to see his salary increase manifold at Old Trafford. His 400,000 per week pre-tax earnings will see him pocket 220,000 Euros after deductions, costing United a total of 20.8m Euros per season.