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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Lingard wishes former team-mate happy birthday</li><li>Message evokes happier time for pair</li><li>Pogba recently handed four-year doping ban</li></ul>

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

K-League 1

Gimcheon Sangmu

FC Seoul

Premier League

Ipswich

Manchester United

The French World Cup winner turned 31 today under the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/paul-pogba-banned-four-years-juventus-midfielder-punished-doping-scandal/blt729c25135d5cdecf" target="_blank">shadow of a four-year drug ban</a> 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.

WHAT HAPPENED?

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

WHAT JESSE LINGARD SAID

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 <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/paul-pogba-sad-demise-timeline-manchester-united-drug-test-juventus/blt5832d67da1c98072" target="_blank">may never play at the highest level again.</a>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 <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/photo-jesse-lingard-heading-south-korea-ex-man-utd-star-airport-shock-fc-seoul-move/blt5b6f61efdaf72297" target="_blank">surprised everyone</a> by signing for South Korean side FC Seoul, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jesse-lingard-reacts-first-competitive-match-in-over-10-months-debut-fc-seoul/blt671c9f970c21e434" target="_blank">who he made his debut for earlier this month.</a>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

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.

WHAT NEXT FOR LINGARD AND POGBA?

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

Jesse Lingard sent former Manchester United colleague Paul Pogba a touching birthday message that recalled happier memories for the pair. 

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