Pogba 'positive' as he targets March return

The France midfielder was diagnosed with a thigh-muscle injury after being forced into an early exit during the Reds’ 3-3 draw with Everton, at the beginning of last month.

Initially, it was confirmed that our no.6 would be missing for at least a few weeks, with Solskjaer later suggesting he would be unlikely to feature at all in February.

Now we’ve entered March and, although Pogba is yet to return to first-team training ahead of key games at home and abroad, the boss is optimistic that we can see him at some point before the Reds head off for national-team duty, after the Emirates FA Cup quarter-final with Leicester City on Sunday 21 March.

“I hope we will. Definitely,” the Norwegian told reporters, when asked if we would see him in any of the next six fixtures.

“He’s very positive. He’s working really hard and he knows when he gets back, we haven’t got two or three games to give him time to play himself into form, so he's working hard.

“When you’ve got the quality of Paul, his fitness is the main thing - and mentality. You know when the sun is out in Manchester, there's nothing to complain about.”

Ole’s options in midfield were given a boost on Sunday, when Scott McTominay came back from injury to play a full part in the 0-0 draw with Chelsea.

Donny van de Beek also returned from a two-week absence to take his place on the bench at Stamford Bridge.

The Netherlands international did not appear during the game, though, and the boss has now suggested that he may not be involved when the Reds return to the capital on Wednesday, to take on Crystal Palace.

“He’s not there yet, completely where we want him to be, or where he wants to be,” Solskjaer added. “He’s still a doubt for tomorrow.”

Juan Mata and Phil Jones will also be missing when we travel to Selhurst Park and you can read our full team news update here.