Paul Pogba has been ruled out for at least four more weeks after the Manchester United midfielder suffered a setback in his recovery from a thigh injury.
Pogba last played for United in the 2-2 draw at Atalanta on November 2nd but was expected to return in early January. A month ago Ralf Rangnick said it would be about four weeks before the 28-year-old would be in contention again.
But the interim United manager has now said: “A week ago I was told it would take another four or five weeks. I’ve seen him this morning before the training session but currently I don’t know how long it will take.
“He’s not training with the team yet. As far as I know from the medical department, it will last another three weeks, four weeks, and once he is then fit for training it does not necessarily mean he is also match fit.
“It will probably take a couple of weeks before he is really able to compete for the first team.”
Transfer window
Meanwhile, Edinson Cavani, whom Barcelona are reported to be interested in signing, has informed Rangnick he will not depart Manchester United during this transfer window.
“I told him that if it was up to me I would want him to stay and I had a conversation with him [last Thursday],” the interim manager said as he prepared for United’s FA Cup tie at home to Aston Villa on Monday. “We spoke for almost half an hour and he told me he will definitely stay and would want to stay until the end of the season.
“Not only because I told him that he should stay or has to stay, he did it on his own behalf, and he told me that I can rely on him to stay until the end of the season and give his very best.
“He’s happy to play. But even if he’s not playing, he will be trying to be the best possible role model for the other players and for me this is good news because Edi is one of those players who, with his vast amount of experience, with his mentality, his work ethic, I think he could really be a perfect role model.”
– Guardian
