Paul Pogba remains sidelined with the hamstring injury he picked up against FC Basel.
Over a week on from the game, it remains unclear when the midfielder will return to action.
Although his manager Jose Mourinho appeared to deny last week’s reports that Pogba would be missing for three months, he refused to put a timescale on the French international’s recovery when speaking to reporters at his press conference on Friday.
“No idea,” Mourinho said when asked when he would make a return. “But again, it’s a great opportunity for other players to play and I trust them all.
“I’m not going to cry or count the days for Pogba to return. Until he’s back, I trust my players.”
Although some United supporters might be concerned that Mourinho’s comments might suggest a longer-than-anticipated lay-off for the player, others interpreted them in a slightly more positive way.
United travel to Anfield on October 14 for a meeting with their greatest rivals, Liverpool. Some have suggested that Pogba has a genuine chance of making his return in this game and that Mourinho having “no idea” might be part of a plan to keep Jürgen Klopp guessing as to who will be appearing in the United midfield that day for as long as he possibly can…
Still strange that there still is no time frame for Pogba. Trying to keep it under wraps that he’ll be back for Liverpool? https://t.co/7UlSukjLcn
— Hesham Bilal-Hafiz (@hesham786) September 22, 2017
Nah he's just setting up the ABU's for a nice surprise when pogba comes roaring back for Liverpool & condemn weetabix teeth to more misery
— Finished FC (@FinishedZ) September 22, 2017
I bet Pogba will be back for the Liverpool game 😂
— CSWS (@Tyrell600_) September 22, 2017
https://twitter.com/AnthonyGartial/status/911210370496425984
https://twitter.com/Martian_MUFC/status/911158672310636544
Or just maybe it's mind games and he doesn't want the likes of Liverpool to know when Pogba is back.
— Markus MUFC (@LyonsGMark) September 22, 2017
Pogba has already missed United’s 4-0 victory over Everton last Sunday and their 4-1 Carabao Cup win at home to Burton. As well as this weekend’s trip to Southampton, United face CSKA Moscow away in the Champions League and a home game against Crystal Palace. After the final international break of the season, their next game will be Liverpool. By then, Pogba will have been out of action for a month.
