For the first time since November, Paul Pogba has returned to Manchester United’s matchday squad.
Pogba, 28, suffered a thigh injury while playing for France in November, which sidelined him for more than two months.
The midfielder last appeared for United in the Champions League against Atalanta, while his last game in the Premier League was against Liverpool at Old Trafford. Pogba has subsequently returned to full fitness and might make his debut against Middlesbrough tonight (Friday).
In his pre-match press conference, Ralf Rangnick confirmed Pogba’s availability for the fourth-round FA Cup clash. “Yes, Paul [Pogba] will be in the group, and he might even start,” Rangnick stated when asked about early team news.
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Pogba is in the final year of his contract with United, and it has been reported that interim manager Rangnick has not discussed his future.
Rangnick stated that Hannibal Mejbri will be included in the squad after he returned from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Choose your team for Manchester United’s game versus Middlesbrough, then share it with others to see which team is the most popular among all fans.
Luke Shaw is also back in the United squad after recovering from a minor hamstring injury. Shaw was a late scratch from United’s squad against Brentford in January, and Rangnick later disclosed the left-back had suffered an injury in training.
Rangnick has announced that Shaw will start against Middlesbrough, with Alex Telles having recently returned from international duty with Brazil.
David de Gea was not seen arriving at the Hyatt Hotel in Manchester on Friday afternoon, but Dean Henderson, Tom Heaton, and Lee Grant were. The Spaniard does not appear to be part of the squad, however, he may be traveling individually.
Ronaldo spent the winter holiday in Dubai with Diogo Dalot, and the two were spotted arriving together on Friday afternoon.
Rangnick granted Edinson Cavani more days in his home country of Uruguay, which means Ronaldo will start against Middlesbrough. In attack, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Anthony Elanga are also available.
Confirmed United squad members:
Dean Henderson, Tom Heaton, Lee Grant, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Phil Jones, Raphael Varane, Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes, Fred, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Hannibal Mejbri, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Elanga, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford.
