MATA I never had a problem with Jose at United
PAUL Pogba could make his injury return in United’s Carabao Cup clash against Rochdale tomorrow.
The midfielder has missed the Reds’ last three games with an ankle injury picked up in the 1-1 draw with Southampton.
“Hopefully he will be available for Rochdale midweek,” said boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. “He has just started training.”
Pogba picked up two assists in United’s opening day victory over Chelsea, but struggled against Crystal Palace and Southampton and missed a penalty in the 1-1 draw with Wolves.
The 26-year-old was subject to transfer speculation in the summer after saying he wanted a “new challenge”, with Real Madrid still interested in a transfer.
Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to the Hammers increased the pressure on United, who will want Pogba to return as soon as possible. After the Rochdale game, they host Arsenal on Monday. PHIL Foden is in line for a City return in the Carabao Cup clash with Preston tonight.
The 19-year-old Blues midfielder missed the trip to Shakhtar Donetsk last week and the 8-0 win over Watford after suffering with a stomach bug.
The length of his absence - and Pep Guardiola’s recent call for Foden to be more assertive - had started to create speculation on social media that something was amiss.
But Foden is understood to have played for England under-21s in the recent international break whilst not feeling 100 per cent, and the club were concerned enough to send him to a private hospital for tests last week.
After treatment, the problem appears to have cleared up, and Foden was spotted in the players’ tunnel after the Watford match on Saturday, congratulating his teammates and chatting to the manager about his fitness.
He returned to training on Sunday and is expected to be available for the third round tie with Preston at Deepdale.
Foden’s only club football so far this season has been two brief substitute appearances - against Liverpool in the Community Shield and at West Ham on the opening day of the season.
He was outstanding for England under-21s despite his illness, and is sure to figure against the Championship side with Guardiola set to make 10 or even 11 changes from the team that beat Watford at the weekend.
The City boss said recently he felt Foden was too shy and should be more assertive when it comes to wanting to play, especially as he is now a long-standing member of the first team and is earmarked to replace David Silva.