Injury blow for United after Pogba is sidelined
MANCHESTER United have suffered a setback with the news midfielder Paul Pogba will be sidelined for a few weeks with a thigh injury.
Just days after being named the club’s player of the month for January, the in-form 27-year-old was forced off towards the end of the first half of Saturday’s 3-3 draw against Everton.
Pogba had a scan on the thigh muscle issue and United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects to be without the Frenchman for much of this month.
‘It’s an injury that will take a few weeks to heal,’ he said. ‘He’s just started his recovery, working with the medical staff and we’ll get him back as soon and as safely as we can.
‘Paul has been very important for us and we’re not going to take any risks. (So it is) a few weeks definitely.
‘You never want to be injured and, especially, now Paul was really finding his form and enjoying his football.
‘We’ve been very healthy and strong for a long period so we can’t moan too much.’
Pogba is out of tonight’s FA Cup fifthround clash against West Ham, as well as Sunday’s trip to West Brom in the Premier League.
United kick off their Europa League campaign against Real Sociedad this month, while league fixtures against Newcastle and Chelsea are also scheduled. Defender Eric Bailly is also doubtful for tonight’s FA tie, while
Dean Henderson (right)
is expected to return in goal. He started in the ties against Liverpool and Watford but has been on the bench since the fourth round, a role Solskjaer admits Henderson does not enjoy having supplanted Sergio Romero as backup to David De Gea after two impressive seasons on loan at Sheffield United. Henderson was rewarded with an improved contract upon returning to United in the summer, tying the academy graduate down until at least 2025. ‘Dean has done very well when he’s got the chance and he has matured,’ added Solskjaer. ‘For me, he’s developed his game. I’ve been impressed with his attitude and workrate. Of course he is, how to say, not the most patient guy. He wants to play every game.’