Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is building up his fitness during the international break ahead of his injury return.
The Frenchman hasn’t featured for the Reds since November when he was brought off in the 2-2 draw at Atalanta.
The World Cup winner picked up a thigh injury during the November international break when taking a shot in France training.
Pogba’s last domestic outing came in the 5-0 horror show against Liverpool when United’s number six was sent off 15 minutes after coming on at half-time.
With United returning to action against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fourth round, interim boss Ralf Rangnick may use the cup tie against the Championship side as an opportunity to reintegrate Pogba back into the team.
The former Juventus man, who has been training out in Dubai, has posted on Instagram as his return to the side draws nearer.
The ‘extraordinary’ 28-year-old has already impressed the German with his performances at Carrington after returning to training.
“Paul Pogba had his first day of training with the whole group yesterday and, in the first training session, he showed what kind of extraordinary player he could be,” Rangnick said on the eve of the Brentford game.
“What you could see from the very first day in training yesterday is that he’s present. He’s physically present, he’s mentally present.
“What I saw in training yesterday was very promising for the future and I’m very much looking forward to having him available in two weeks’ time after the international break, and I think he will be a serious candidate for the first XI.”
With the futures of Donny van de Beek and Jesse Lingard remaining uncertain as we head into the final days of the January transfer window, it will be interesting to see how Pogba fits into Rangnick’s system.
With the 63-year-old seemingly settled on a 4-3-3 formation, Pogba may find it difficult to get in the starting line-up ahead of Fred, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes.
Although Pogba is likely to leave United on a free transfer for the second time of his career, we could well see his best moments in a United shirt during his final months at the club.
Playing freely and wanting to impress potential suitors, the return of Pogba could boost the side as we enter the crucial part of the season.
Portuguese pair Diogo Dalot and Cristiano Ronaldo have also been pictured training together in Dubai.
Ronaldo responded to Dalot’s Instagram post with a comment that translates to ‘it does not fail’.
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