Paul Pogba's departure from Manchester United left the club's players wondering "what the hell is going on?" according to former captain Rio Ferdinand.
Juventus midfielder Pogba, 23, made just seven appearances in all competitions for United before moving to the Serie A side as a 19-year-old in the summer of 2012.
The France international is preparing for the Euro 2016 final against Portugal on Sunday night amid reports that United are set to make a move to bring him back to Old Trafford.
Discussing the midfielder, Ferdinand wrote in the Sunday Times: "He was 17, nearly 18, and before he came into the changing room I said, 'Listen, this kid, I've seen him play for the reserves and youths and he has something.'
"After he trained, not a player in that Manchester United first team disagreed. Everyone was sold on Paul Pogba. When he left United every player was saying, 'What the hell is going on?' But he came to a decision to leave and sometimes these things happen in football."
In his autobiography, former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson blamed Pogba's agent, Mino Raiola, for the move to Juve.
Pogba's mother, though, was quoted last month as saying that Ferguson reduced her son to tears at United with the way he was treated.
Ferdinand praised Pogba's character and for moving on successfully, but would love to see him back at United.
"His self-belief in quitting United for Juventus showed his confidence in his ability, and that belief is actually a positive thing," he wrote. "It comes from a drive to improve himself.
"I would love him to return. United need personalities. The Premier League needs personalities. The league needs star players, charisma, and at the moment they are not in England. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is here. Yes, that's a great start, but how long for?"