POGBAD

Basel crushed but United pay a price as midfield powerhouse is crocked

MANCHESTER UNITED made a winning return to the Champions League – but victory came at a price with an injury to record-signing Paul Pogba.

Goals from Marouane Fellaini (right), Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford ensured a triumphant start to the group stage for United, who returned to the Champions League after an absence of 644 days.

But their joy was tempered by the hamstring injury suffered by captain on the night Pogba (left), which could see United’s influential midfielder sidelined for several weeks. Pogba, the Reds’ Player of the Month after an impressive

start to the new season,

FROM BACK PAGE pulled up in the 17th minute, clutching the back of his left thigh in obvious pain.

The 24-year-old was unable to carry on and was replaced by Fellaini, who made his mark 16 minutes after coming on, giving United the lead with a header from a fine Ashley Young cross.

Lukaku made it 2-0 seven minutes after the restart with his sixth United goal, heading in from a Daley Blind cross. Marcus Rashford came off the bench to plunder United’s third goal in the 84th minute.

Pogba is almost certain to miss United’s Premier League clash at home to Everton on Sunday, which will see Wayne Rooney return to Old Trafford for the first time.

United are likely to learn the extent of Pogba’s injury today.