Pogba makes surprise return to France fold amid hamstring injury

Chris Burton

Pogba makes surprise return to France fold amid hamstring injury image

Paul Pogba is closing on a return to action, with the Manchester United midfielder surprising his France team-mates by joining the fold against Wales.

The 24-year-old played no part in the friendly international, but he was at Stade de France to take in a 2-0 victory for Les Bleus.

Pogba has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury on Champions League duty with United in September.

A long road to recovery is almost over and his international colleagues are clearly looking forward to seeing the £89 million midfielder back on the field.

Pogba was a surprise presence in the tunnel as Didier Deschamps’ side made their way from the field in Paris.

Samuel Umtiti, Raphael Varane and Alexandre Lacazette were among those to greet their injured team-mate, but the warmest embrace was saved for in the dressing room by Antoine Griezmann.

The Atletico Madrid striker, who was on target against Wales, is a close friend of Pogba and was delighted to be reunited.

Griezmann spent much of the summer being linked with a move to join his fellow Frenchman at Old Trafford and admitted to Sky Sport in November 2016 that he hopes the pair will get the chance to play alongside each other at club level at some stage in the future.

He said: “I always ask Paul Pogba about Manchester United. I think they are a huge club with a really good infrastructure.

“I ask Paul about some of the players, and if they're really that good, or if Jose Mourinho is really that good.

“You hear a lot of [speculation] about Manchester United and Paris St Germain but right now I don't see me moving to a new club. But it would be awesome to play alongside Paul one day.”

For now, Griezmann and Co have another friendly clash to prepare for on Tuesday, as they prepare to head to Germany, while Pogba will be hoping to play some part for United when they return to domestic action with a home date against Newcastle on November 18.
 

Chris Burton