It will not be a promising start for Manchester United this January 2020 as the club confirmed star midfielder will be out the whole of January, again due to injury woes. Specifically, the France international will require an ankle surgery that will force him on the sideline for four weeks at most, according to Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The injury-prone Pogba, in fact, was nowhere in sight when United faced off with Arsenal. His team suffered a 2-0 loss, which marked the first time Mikel Arteta won as team manager for the Gunners.
"We've had scans and it's nothing major, but it's something that has to be dealt with ... He's been advised to do it (the operation) as soon as and we will probably do it as soon as, so he will be out for three or four weeks," BBC reported Solskjaer as saying.
The Norwegian manager admitted that Pogba returning to the injury list would be a big blow as Old Trafford will also miss the services of Scott McTominay, another midfielder. The two's absence could mean that United will be significantly inadequate in the goal-scoring department in the weeks to come.
However, Solskjaer remains optimistic that Pogba, who despite rumors of moving out this January has stated that he will remain with United, will be returning soon, and if not others in the lineup would step up.
"We just hope that Paul can come back in a month-ish. But if Fred and Nemanja [Matic] played like they did today I will be happy," the United boss said.
To date, Pogba has only played eight games with the Red Devils and even when he seemed ready had opted to delay his return to training until the middle part of December. While supposedly on rehabilitation mode and recovery, the World Cup winner was spotted numerous times partying, sparking rumors that he's deliberately delaying his return to active play.
Bleacher Report said Pogba is now under close scrutiny and likely seen as a risky transfer target, specifically by Real Madrid.
"Zidane wants him at Madrid, but the Madrid directors are not convinced due to the price tag and the inconsistency," the report quoted Sports journalist Jonas Giaever as saying.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that the McTominay and Pogba injuries will compel United to step up on looking for replacements in time for the January transfer window.
The Guardian reported that it has become necessary for Solskjaer to make a transfer move or two this month.
"Of course it is playing on our decision-making [in January] when you have got two players out. If it's possible we will do something. We are looking at one or two," the manager said.
