Jose Mourinho expects to have Paul Pogba available for Manchester United’s first game back after the international break, claims the London Evening Standard.
Pogba picked up a thigh injury in United’s dramatic 2-1 away to Juventus before the international break, which forced him to miss last weekend’s Manchester derby defeat.
The 2018 World Cup winner was forced to withdrew from France’s squad but United’s medical team are not overly concerned about his injury and the midfielder is now enjoying time off in Dubai.
United are now 12 points off the title pace in the Premier League following their glaring 3-1 defeat to Manchester City and Mourinho will be desperate to have Pogba back.
Mourinho’s side are at home to Crystal Palace next and their focus must now be bridging the seven-point gap between themselves and the top four.
United have endured an underwhelming start to the campaign and questions will be asked of Mourinho’s time at the club if he fails to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Pogba and Mourinho’s relationship has improved in recent weeks after a rocky beginning to the season and the 25-year-old is key to their chances of rescuing their campaign.
The United No.6 has played a direct hand in nine goals in 15 appearances across league and European competition this season (five goals, four assists).