Paul Pogba out again with illness

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has suffered a setback as he looked set to feature for the first team again after being out for months since the injury sustained in the Carabao Cup suffered against Rochdale.

The 26-year-old World Cup winner has drawn criticism since being out injured after posting regularly on social media seemingly not suffered from any injury.

He has been spotted attending basketball matches in America, as well as playing basketball with an NBA player. That had caused speculation that while he was sitting out the action in order to protect himself for a rumoured move in the forthcoming winter transfer window.

Real Madrid are known to be sceptical of his worth, but there have been rumours that Real will sell some squad members in January in order to raise funds for a £100m transfer when the window re-opens. However Florentino Perez is reluctant to deal with Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola, because they expect him to ask for a significant fee himself, as well as to set Pogba’s wage demands well above what he would like to pay. However Pogba is wanted by Zinedine Zidane, Real’s manager, and the two have already met up in Dubai earlier in the season.

Pogba had been expected to return to action this month but has now been ruled out for an unknown length of time with an unspecified illness. If the rumours about an imminent move are true then it could be the case that Pogba has played his last game for United.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to be given funds this winter in order to bring in new players, and a new midfielder would be regarded as essential if Pogba is on his way. They have also been linked with Erling Haaland, who is rumoured to be available for £20m.