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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
David McDonnell

Man Utd confirm Paul Pogba's return for FA Cup clash with Middlesbrough

Paul Pogba is set to make his long-awaited Manchester United comeback in the FA Cup on Friday.

Pogba has not played since November 2, after suffering a groin injury while on international duty with France.

The midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season but could start against Middlesbrough.

"Paul will be part of the group, he might even be in the starting line-up," said United interim boss Ralf Rangnick.

" Edinson Cavani will only return at the weekend, he contacted me at the weekend and asked to have two more days at home - I knew he couldn't be in the starting eleven with jet lag.

Join the debate! Will Pogba be at Man Utd next season? Give us your verdict here.

Pogba last played for Man Utd in November (Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

"Victor Lindelof has been ill the whole week and not training. Eric Bailly came back yesterday, he has some problems with his ankle and will not be part of the squad.

"Luke Shaw will be playing because Alex Telles played 90 minutes for Brazil."

Pogba's return comes amid uncertainty surrounding his future, with his deal expiring at the end of the season.

Rangnick has affirmed that he will not be going out of his way to convince the Paris Saint-Germain target to sign a new deal.

After agent Mino Raiola confirmed an offer was on the table, the German said in December: "I wouldn't say he's not worth keeping.

"But players have to want to play for a big club like Manchester United. If a player does not want to play Manchester United in the medium or long term, I don’t think it makes sense to convince him to change his mind."

Rangnick added: "He can be an important player but this is true for all the other players we have. I'm not just the coach of Paul Pogba.

"I'm also the coach of all the other players and my ambition is to make them better, improve each individual player, and this is only possible by improving the performance of the whole team."

Meanwhile, teammate Jesse Lingard has been given time off to clear his head after failing to secure a loan move.

Rangnick will not bend to Pogba in contract negotiations (Getty Images)

After being told by Rangnick he could go on loan, Lingard was informed on deadline day he must stay.

Lingard, also out of contract at the end of the season, saw his efforts to move blocked following Mason Greenwood's arrest and suspension by United.

Rangnick said: "Jesse asked if we could give him a couple of days off to clear his mind. He will be back in training on Monday and part of the whole squad."

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