The French midfielder has not featured for United since the 2-2 Champions League draw with Atalanta on 2nd November.
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Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has provided a positive update on Paul Pogba’s return to the team for Middlesbrough’s visit to Old Trafford. The French midfielder has not featured for United since the 2-2 Champions League draw with Atalanta on 2nd November. Paul Pogba was suspended for the Premier League defeat to Manchester City, four days later. He then picked up a thigh injury while training with the France national team in the international break. However, the French World Cup winner looks set to feature for the first time under Ralf after recovering from injury.
Manchester United take on the Teessiders on Friday night in the first of the Emirates FA Cup fourth-round ties happening this weekend. Ahead of the clash, Ralf Rangnick, at his press conference, informed that Paul Pogba will be part of the team. “Paul will be part of the group,” confirmed Rangnick at his press conference to preview the tie. “He might even be in the starting XI.
“There are still a couple of players missing out. Edi Cavani will only return on the weekend. He contacted me a week ago and asked me if he could have two more days at home and I allowed him because I knew that he couldn’t be in the starting XI anyway, with jet-lag and only coming back today or last night. So he won’t be part of the group.”
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Rangnick added: “Victor Lindelof has been ill the whole week and not training. So he will also miss tomorrow’s game. The same is true with Jesse [Lingard], he asked me and the club if we could give him a couple of days off, just to clear up his mind.
“He will be back in the group I suppose next Monday, back for training, and then be a regular part of the whole squad again. Eric Bailly came back yesterday. He has some problems, a swollen ankle, and will therefore not be a part of the squad tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder could introduce Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun into his side for the clash. Australian signing Riley McGree is out due to COVID-19 while Sammy Ameobi, Darnell Fisher and Marc Bola look set to miss out. However, former Reds defender Paddy McNair could start for them.
“I don’t want [my players] going to Old Trafford to enjoy the visit,” said Wilder. “If they want [to swap] a shirt, do it in the changing rooms after. We don’t want to be looking at them all fuzzy eyed. They are up against a competitor. I want them to play well, to give a good account of themselves and make it a competitive, dangerous night for Manchester United.”
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