Paul Pogba set for first Man Utd game in three months after injury on FRIDAY in FA Cup clash against Middlesbrough
PAUL POGBA is making a late bid to be in the squad for Friday's FA Cup fourth-round match against Middlesbrough.
The Manchester United midfielder has not played since the 2-2 Champions League draw away to Atalanta on November 2.
He picked up a thigh injury the following week while training with the French squad.
The initial prognosis was that he would be out for eight weeks but it has been three months now.
But he has been back in full training at Carrington, and manager Ralf Rangnick will decide Friday morning whether to include him in the squad for that evening fixture against the Championship side.
Should Pogba feature, it would be his first appearance under interim gaffer Rangnick.
SunSport revealed last week that the French World Cup winner has had a number of positive talks with the United boss.
He has been impressed with his ideas to get the best out of the player during the remainder of the season.
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It was something former manager Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were unable to do for any period of time but Pogba believes things could click with Rangnick.
It could even lead to him making a U-turn and deciding to stay in the summer if Rangnick’s tenure as boss is extended for two years.
Pogba is out of contract at the end of the season when he can leave on a free and all talks between the player and club about a new deal have been shelved.
But a positive end to the season and Rangnick continuing in the hot seat could bring both sides back to the negotiating table and the 28-year-old commit himself to another four years at Old Trafford.
Victor Lindelof and Jadon Sancho both missed United’s last game, a dramatic last gasp victory over West Ham, for personal reasons but are expected to return.
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Full-backs Luke Shaw who had a hamstring problem and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was ill, are also likely to return.
Meanwhile, David De Gea has won the club’s Player of the Month award for the third successive time.
It is the first time that a Red Devils player has done that since the fans' monthly online vote began back in 2016.