Paul Pogba set for first-team return against Rochdale

Paul Pogba might not have lived up to expectations since rejoining Manchester United, but any remaining doubts that the team is no better with him in it have been quashed over the last three matches. Abject performances against Leicester, Astana and West Ham have confirmed what we already knew — a midfield of Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matić and Andreas Pereira lacks the quality and creativity to create sufficient chances.

The good news is that Pogba should be back imminently, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær confirming he’s all but recovered from an ankle problem that has kept him sidelined for the last few weeks. Quoted by Sky Sports, Solskjær said: “[Pogba]’ll probably get some minutes against Rochdale. But we definitely think he’s ready for Arsenal.”

Mason Greenwood will also return to action in midweek, having recovered from the tonsillitis that kept him out of the weekend’s dismal defeat to West Ham. He’s likely to take Marcus Rashford’s place up top, with the England international sidelined for an indefinite period with a groin injury sustained in Sunday’s 2-0 loss. Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial and Eric Bailly remain on the treatment table.