Donny van de Beek might just have been handed the Manchester United boost he needs

With a scripted and long-predicted ending Manchester United wave goodbye to Paul Pogba for the second time. Glimpses of his mercurial ability promised so much more and, yet, a decade on from his first departure United fans no longer dream about seeing his France heroics replicated in their famous red shirt.

It was no fairy-tale ending for Pogba. It was no fairy-tale.

Dividing opinion like no other United player, that debate continued until the end after Ralf Rangnick opted to give him one final hurrah when a departure seemed certain. United passed up their last opportunity to cash in and those priceless minutes Donny van de Beek had been promised by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were dished out elsewhere.

READ MORE: Manchester United confirm Paul Pogba departure before contract ends

Hindsight, as they say, is a wonderful thing and Van de Beek might have already provided a definitive answer with regards to underlining his United credentials. However, that decision from Rangnick was understandable as United leaned on Pogba to help them seal Champions League qualification.

It may not have played out like that, of course, but a late-season injury for Pogba and mitigating factors were also hugely contributory to that. Indeed, no matter what a certain agenda will have you believe, it was not solely down to Pogba and neither were continuous question marks over his second act at Old Trafford.

Ultimately, his grand return simply did not work out. That happens in football and Van de Beek, who was signed to replace Pogba two years ago - in anticipation of a move which never materialised - should finally get his chance to prove he can do exactly what he was brought in to do.

As luck, or further coincidence would have it, the man he will have