Hamstrung Pogba faces weeks out

PAUL POGBA faces the prospect of weeks on the sidelines after a hamstring injury ended his night as Manchester United captain abruptly. The central midfielder pulled up after just 19 minutes against Basle at Old Trafford (right), appearing to overstretch while making a challenge. Pogba immediately signalled to the bench and headed straight down the tunnel shaking his head in disappointment. Manager Jose Mourinho said: ‘I don’t know, looks to me two weeks, but I didn’t speak with him or the medical department, but the squad is for this, for injuries, for suspensions. By experience and by looking at the way he’s feeling it, it is a hamstring. But whether it’s big or small I don’t know yet.’ It is the second hamstring problem 24-year-old Pogba has suffered in six months. He also departed early against Rostov during the Europa League knockout clash in March. Pogba returned from that strain earlier than expected, back after three weeks, but it remains to be seen how severe this latest problem is. Mourinho’s side are in the midst of a hectic schedule, with five games to play in the next 17 days before October’s international break. The run includes Premier League matches against Wayne Rooney’s Everton, Southampton and Crystal Palace, plus a Champions League trip to CSKA Moscow. Mourinho had planned to rest Pogba for the League Cup game with Burton next Wednesday but this injury could leave United short on creativity in midfield.