POGBA TARGETS DERBY RETURN

PAUL POGBA has set his sights on returning for the crunch Manchester derby in just over a month.

The Manchester United superstar is sidelined with an ankle problem he suffered in September and has missed the last seven games. Pogba underwent minor surgery and is expected to remain in plaster for the rest of this week before starting his rehabilitation.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has written off Pogba until next month, but has been told the World Cup winner has a genuine chance of being fit again for the explosive showdown with City at the Etihad on December 7.

There is even a slight chance he could be available for the visit of Tottenham to Old Trafford three days earlier.

But Solskjaer has told Pogba to focus all of his efforts on being ready for the trip to face Pep Guardiola’s champions.

Pogba has expressed his frustration at being stuck on the sidelines as United look to rescue what has been a poor start to the season. Their fourgame unbeaten run came to a halt at Bournemouth, with the 1-0 defeat leaving them languishing in 10th place.

Pogba said: “I will still be under plaster for 10 days, then after this I still have two weeks of rehabilitation.

“It is the worst thing to see my team-mates go to training or on the field. You train inside, you want to return to help your team, but when you are injured it is not easy (psychologically).

“But the most important thing is to heal properly.”

United host Partizan Belgrade in the Europa League on Thursday before the visit of Brighton on Sunday. United have rejected a bid of £13million for Chris Smalling (left) from Roma. The Italian outfit are keen to sign the former England defender on a permanent deal when his loan runs out at the end of this season. But United executive vicechairman Ed Woodward wants closer to £17.5m and knows both Milan clubs are also interested in signing Smalling.