A video on Jesse Lingard’s Instagram account on Thursday morning revealed that Paul Pogba had returned to Manchester United’s training ground.
The 24-year-old has spent the last few weeks in Miami, Florida in a bid to recover from the hamstring problem that he suffered against Basel in the Champions League towards the start of September.
Jose Mourinho has continually refused to provide updates on Pogba’s recovery, but it now seems likely that the United boss will address the France international in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
In the seven-second clip, Pogba was seen moving freely, and while his dancing might not go down too well with Mourinho, his return to Manchester will. The midfielder was not spotted during the club’s televised training session on Thursday, but his return to action is drawing closer after spending time in the United States.
It seems incredibly unlikely that Pogba will play any part against Tottenham at the weekend, or indeed against Benfica in the Champions League next week, but his return is timely ahead of United’s trip to Chelsea on November 5.
It would be fair to say that Pogba struggled for consistency last season following his world-record move from Juventus, but the Frenchman still ended the 2016-17 campaign with nine goals, and he made 51 appearances in all competitions.
The midfielder was key in United’s flying start to the 2017-18 Premier League campaign, meanwhile, as he managed two goals and two assists in four appearances. Pogba was actually handed the captain’s armband for the club’s Champions League group opener against Basel, but he lasted just 19 minutes after picking up the hamstring problem that has kept him out since.
"I’m in control of the players who are available. You will have to ask Dr McNally [why Pogba is in Florida]. He is responsible for that. I’m not happy or unhappy [about Pogba being abroad]. It’s not my responsibility,” Mourinho commented when questioned on Pogba being abroad for his rehabilitation.
While Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s recovery from a serious knee injury has taken place at Carrington, Pogba has been in Miami. Mourinho’s constant refusal to discuss the Frenchman suggests that he has not been happy with the process, but deep down, the United boss will be absolutely delighted that his talisman is back in the fold ahead of a busy period.
After United travel to Chelsea on November 5, there is a two-week international break before a home game against Newcastle United on November 18. Champions League qualification should have been secured by that point, meaning that United can concentrate on key Premier League matches, with Arsenal and Manchester City coming in December either side of a home game against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.
United did not struggle for results in the immediate aftermath of Pogba’s injury, with the Red Devils beating Everton, Burton Albion, Southampton, CSKA and Crystal Palace in their five matches following the Basel fixture.
Mourinho’s side played out a drab goalless draw with Liverpool on October 14, however, before suffering their first Premier League defeat of the season away at Huddersfield Town last weekend. That run of matches has included wins over Benfica and Swansea City in the Champions League and EFL Cup respectively, but something has been missing in recent weeks.
Granted, it is not all down to Pogba. Marouane Fellaini has been missed in recent games, while Michael Carrick’s experience and influence would have been extremely useful to the team in the absence of key midfield players.
Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera have started in central midfield in three of United’s last four matches, and the partnership has not really worked. Herrera’s all-action style makes him a favourite of the United supporters, but the Spaniard has gone from potential captain to bit-part player when everyone is fit.
Matic has also missed Pogba, with the pair forming an excellent midfield partnership as United crushed all before them in the opening weeks of the campaign. The truth is that Pogba makes those around him better - even Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s form has gone cold since the Frenchman stepped out of the team.
Not only do United miss Pogba’s midfield running, energy and goals, they miss his personality. Some might call it arrogance, but those that know the midfielder would rather use the word confidence. Whatever it is – arrogance or confidence – United have missed it, both around the training ground and on the field.
If the 20-time English champions are to be successful this season, Pogba will need to play a big role. It is thought that he has been banned from playing basketball due to concerns that the sport could aggravate his hamstring issues.
Pogba’s frame and athleticism means that muscular problems will occur from time to time, but the player himself needs to make sure that he is doing everything he can to be in the best possible shape to turn out for United.
Pogba’s absence from Carrington has been strange when considering the facilities that United have available, but the 24-year-old is back, and his return could not have come at a better time for a team that desperately need revitalising at a key stage of the campaign.
