Ralf shares positive Pogba news
All being well, Paul Pogba could make his return to Manchester United’s first team in early February, according to Ralf Rangnick.
Pogba has missed each of the Reds’ last 13 games across all competitions, not featuring since the 2-2 Champions League draw with Atalanta on 2 November.
He was suspended for the Premier League defeat to Manchester City, four days later, and then picked up a thigh injury while training with the France national team in the international break.
Rangnick: Pogba's return is very promising
At the end of the press conference, Ralf was asked to comment on Paul's return to full training...
Pogba went to the Middle East in November to work on his recovery and returned to the UK the following month, just after Rangnick was appointed as interim manager.
At the beginning of January, Ralf suggested that Paul was still around a month away from full training but it seems he is ahead of schedule, with Cristiano Ronaldo revealing our no.6 had returned yesterday when publishing a ‘winning team’ photograph.
Paul won’t be in contention for Wednesday's visit to Brentford, or the game with West Ham United on Saturday.
However, the boss is hoping that the World Cup winner can make his comeback from the three-month injury lay-off after the upcoming international break.
United host Middlesbrough in the Emirates FA Cup on Friday 4 February, before making the short journey to play Burnley at Turf Moor four days later.
“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 told reporters.
“He will not be available for the two games this week but hopefully after the international break, when we have the Cup game against Middlesbrough and the away game at Burnley, I think he could be an option.”
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Ralf added that the midfielder had made an immediate impact in training and that he couldn't wait for him to be ready for selection again.
“I don't know. I cannot answer the second part of your question because it's not me dealing with this, I'm not negotiating about future contracts with players,” the 63-year-old replied, when asked if Pogba would sign a new deal.
“But 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.”