Paul Pogba is in danger of missing the start of the season with Juventus after picking up a serious knee injury in pre-season.
Pogba re-joined Juventus as a free agent on a four-year contract on July 11 after his Manchester United deal expired at the end of June. The 29-year-old midfielder was hoping to hit the ground running back at the club he played for between 2012 and 2016, but disaster has already struck.
The France international made his first start upon his return in Juve’s 2-0 friendly win over Mexican side Guadalajara in Nevada on Saturday. But that could be his only appearance for some time after he was forced to limp out of a training session in Los Angeles.
Juventus have now confirmed that Pogba will not fly with the rest of the squad for the friendly against Barcelona in Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday. Instead he will be sent to see a knee specialist to ascertain just how serious his injury is.
“Following complaining of pain in his right knee, Paul Pogba underwent radiological examinations that revealed a lesion of the lateral meniscus,” Juventus said in a statement on Monday night. “In the next few hours he will undergo a specialist orthopedic consultation. Therefore, in order to continue treatment, he is not taking part in the trip to Dallas.”
The injury comes at a bad time for Juventus, who are busy trying to sell two central midfielders. Manager Massimiliano Allegri is keen to offload both Arthur Melo and Aaron Ramsey in the summer transfer window, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Leandro Paredes being eyed as a possible replacement. Pogba’s injury leaves the Old Lady short of options in the middle of the pitch three weeks out from their Serie A opener against Sassuolo on August 15.
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Pogba had hoped that returning to Turin would help him rediscover his best form following a disappointing end to his time at United. Although he won the Europa League and EFL Cup at Old Trafford, he rarely found the level expected of a £89million player.
The World Cup winner scooped the Scudetto in every season he was at Juve in his first spell, as well as two Coppa Italias, and had big plans this time around. "I want to rediscover my joy of playing football," he said upon his return. "My heart decided for me and I am sure that I made the right decision, this jersey is everything for me.
"I feel great, it's an atmosphere I cannot define. Juventus gave me the opportunity to be Pogba. Now I want to give back that joy, bringing trophies to a club that deserves only to win."
