Paul Pogba has been left out of the Manchester United squad for their Premier League trip to Burnley on Saturday evening.
The Frenchman has not started a league game since September, but appeared to have recovered from the ankle injury that had sidelined him since then.
The midfielder came on from the substitutes’ bench in each of United’s last two fixtures, the defeat to Watford and the win over Newcastle United.
It appears that it is those two substitute appearances that have kept Pogba out of the away clash with Burnley as the Manchester Evening News report that this match has come ‘too soon’ for him.
He played 45 minutes against Newcastle and around half an hour against Watford and his ankle is clearly not up to further action.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed this, saying: ‘Paul has played in two games and has been out for a while and it didn’t feel right to play him today.
‘It’s a quick turnaround some players played quite a bit. Fresh legs are coming in.’
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes spoke to BT Sport of Pogba’s absence: ‘There must be something wrong with him. That must be the only explanation. He(Solskjaer)’ll portray it to the public the way he wants to. If he is fit he should be playing.’
With Pogba not selected and Scott McTominay out injured, midfield duties are left to the trio of Fred, Nemanja Matic and Andreas Pereira at Turf Moor.
David de Gea is behind a back four of Ashley Young, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Brandon Williams, with the regular front three of Dan James, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial up front.
Solskjaer explained why Pogba was only on the bench ahead of the 4-1 win over Newcastle, when he was expected to start that contest.
‘Paul, I think it’s too early to demand too much from him,’ said the Norwegian. ‘He’s worked really hard but then it’s been a long lay-off.
‘So we’ll have to drip-feed him in and play gradually more and more.’
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