Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that Paul Pogba suffered a fresh knock to his ankle after returning to action during Manchester United’s EFL Cup clash with Rochdale.
The Frenchman had not featured for the club since suffering an ankle injury during a 1-1 draw with Southampton prior to the international break.
Pogba returned to the starting XI against Rochdale, presumably to get match fitness ahead of Arsenal, and played an important part in Mason Greenwood‘s goal.
However, the boss has revealed that a fresh knock on the ankle has caused it to swell, making Pogba a serious doubt to feature on Monday.
Solskjær on Pogba: "Situation is he finished the game [Rochdale], 90 mins, fantastic but he got a knock to his ankle which is very swollen so [it] was better not to go there with the team and he’s in a race for Monday. Doubt? Yes, but that’s just the way it is." #mulive
— utdreport (@utdreport) September 27, 2019
When it rains, it pours, I guess. United’s injury list is bad enough, with no Anthony Martial or Marcus Rashford to bolster the attack against the Gunners. To lose the talisman, the spark, right after he returned from injury – that is what you call taking the p*ss.
Even if Pogba is not completely ruled out, you suspect that Solskjaer would be reluctant to expose his injured ankle to what promises to be a high-intensity affair. Another knock could leave Pogba sidelined for even longer.
Other midfielders, like Fred and Nemanja Matic, will need to step up in a big way.