The Irish Mail on Sunday

Pogba IS back!

- By Stephen Davies

PAUL POGBA and Marcus Rashford are set for Premier League comebacks after returning from long layoffs in a practice match at Old Trafford yesterday.

Both Manchester United stars were initially ruled out for the rest of the season in March —when football was suspended due to coronaviru­s.

But now they appear to be fit for the run-in, starting with United’s trip to Tottenham in 12 days’ time.

Top scorer Rashford, 22, has been out since mid-January with a back injury while unsettled Pogba, 27, has been off the pitch since St Stephen’s Day due to an ankle issue. The World Cup-winner continues to be linked with a move, saying last year that playing for Real Madrid would be a ‘dream’.

Elsewhere, Eddie Nketiah staked his claim for an Arsenal starting spot by scoring a hat-trick as his club warmed up for the restart with a 6-0 thrashing of Charlton.

Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had put Arsenal two goals ahead in the behind-closeddoor­s friendly at the Emirates Stadium before Nketiah stole the show with a quickfire second-half treble. Joe Willock completed the scoring.

And John McGinn also made a comeback from a serious injury as Aston Villa drew 2-2 against West Bromwich Albion at Villa Park.

The Scotland midfielder, 25, out since breaking an ankle against Southampto­n during the Christmas period, played 30 minutes of the friendly.

West Brom, chasing promotion from the Championsh­ip, twice led through Kamil Grosicki and Filip Krovinovic. But Villa levelled first through Keinan Davis and then Jack Grealish.

 ??  ?? RED ALERT: Pogba plays for United yesterday in a practice match at Old Trafford and (inset) Arsenal win 6-0
RED ALERT: Pogba plays for United yesterday in a practice match at Old Trafford and (inset) Arsenal win 6-0
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