Manchester United handed boost as Paul Pogba 'is set to RETURN for derby against Manchester City' after French star had cast removed from right ankle
* Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to bring a number of key stars back from injury
* Paul Pogba is reportedly targeting the Manchester derby to return to the side
* The Frenchman has not featured since September 30 in a 1-1 draw with Arsenal
* He filmed his ankle cast being removed on Monday as he steps up his recovery
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly set for a timely boost with Paul Pogba expected to prove his fitness in time for the Manchester derby against City on December 7.
Pogba has missed the last nine matches for United but stepped up his return to fitness on Monday when the cast on his injured right ankle was removed.
The positive news about the cast removal was followed up with ESPN reporting that the derby against City has been earmarked as a return date for the French midfielder with United in need of trimming their growing injury list.
Paul Pogba is reportedly targeting the Manchester derby for his return to the United side. The midfielder has not featured since the 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Old Trafford in September
United are facing one of their busiest periods of the season and so the return of Pogba would be a major boost to Solskjaer and the rest of the squad.
The club are facing 12 games in just 39 days and the Norwegian boss is well aware of how fatigue and niggling injuries will see his selection options depleted.
Pogba has not turned out for United since picking up an injury in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford against Arsenal on September 30.
Pogba, who has only played six times this season, shakes his ankle after his cast is removed
The Frenchman was particularly excitable on his social media on Monday as he filmed the doctor removing the cast from his injured ankle.
For United, an upturn in form has been coupled with a number of first team-regulars returning from injury.
Swedish defender Victor Lindelof returned from a foot injury to feature for United in their 3-1 win over Brighton on Sunday, lifting them to seventh in the Premier League table.
Eric Bailly has proven a long-term absentee for United having not been involved in matches or training since suffering injury in a pre-season game against Tottenham.
The ESPN report goes on to add that the Ivorian - who is targeting a return given he is out of contract in the summer - will look to be back in light training after the international break concludes having recently been walking without the aid of crutches.
Eric Bailly is 'walking without crutches' having not featured since being injured in pre-season
United return from the international break with a trip to newly-promoted Sheffield United before a 7,000-mile round trip to take on Astana in the Europa League.
Solskjaer and his players secured qualification to the knockout rounds with a 3-0 rout of Partizan Belgrade last week but will still find the travel exhausting in such a busy schedule, even with heavy rotation expected.
The only major injury concern from the last week is the severity of Scott McTominay's issue which he picked up against Brighton. The Scot has been a mainstay in the midfield, particularly in Pogba's absence and so if that proves to be serious, Pogba's return would be timely.
Code:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7677903/Manchester-United-handed-boost-Paul-Pogba-set-RETURN-derby-against-Manchester-City.html