Manchester United news: Andrea Pirlo says Juventus are 'still laughing' at signing Paul Pogba for £800,000

The Frenchman played alongside Pirlo for much of his time in Turin, winning four Serie A titles

Andrea Pirlo says Juventus realised they had signed a star straight away in 2012 (Getty)

Andrea Pirlo has reportedly said Juventus are “still laughing” at being able to sign Paul Pogba for £800,000 from Manchester United four years ago – before eventually selling him back for £89m.

The Frenchman played alongside Pirlo for much of his time in Turin, winning four Serie A titles and establishing himself as one of the best players in Europe, before securing a world-record move back to Old Trafford this summer.

37-year-old Pirlo, who now plays for New York City in Major League Soccer, is quoted by the Daily Telegraph as saying: “We were not laughing for any other reason than we were just in total disbelief that this player with so much obvious ability was able to leave a club the size of Manchester United for free — and I think Juventus are still laughing.

“I will always remember the first day he trained at Juventus. He was only young, but we could see he was special.

“We were walking back to the dressing room after the session and I clearly remember Gianluigi Buffon coming up to me laughing and he just said: 'Did they really let him go for free?'

“I am not saying that Juventus will have wanted to let him go, they wouldn't — but things have worked out pretty well for them.

“They signed a player of his quality for no money, he was a big part of them winning trophies in four seasons, and they then sell him for £90m. Whatever way you look at it, Juventus have got a great deal.”