Paul Pogba's nightmare hits new low as ex-Man Utd star axed and replaced

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba made his return to competitive football back in November but has now suffered another blow with French side AS Monaco

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has suffered another blow after his return to football. The Frenchman has been left out of Monaco’s squad for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Pogba made his return to playing back in November, just over two years after his previous appearance. The midfielder joined Monaco on a free transfer in June, after serving a reduced ban for testing positive for a banned substance.

He had to wait to make his debut due to building up his match fitness after so long out of action. That debut came as a late substitute in the Ligue 1 clash against Rennes back in November.

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Pogba has gone on to make a further two substitute appearances but has missed the last nine games in all competitions with a calf injury. In a latest blow, Pogba has been left out of Monaco’s squad for the upcoming knockout stages of the Champions League. Speaking in a press conference, via RMCSport, Monaco director Thiago Scuro gave an update on the 32-year-old.

"The entire medical department is focused on finding solutions,” he said. When asked when Pogba will be able to train again, he added: “There's no clear answer to that question.

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"We still need to develop the process to clarify the situation. As with any injury, the first step will be to get back on the pitch, then continue to progress in training to regain the necessary fitness to play.”

As well as Pogba, defender Mohammed Salisu and midfielder Takumi Minamino have been removed from the squad, with both players also out through injury. January signings Wout Faes and Simon Adringra have come in to replace them, with Krépin Diatta also added to the squad.

Monaco are back in action on Thursday night (8pm kick-off), when they travel to take on Strasbourg in the round of 16 stage of the French Cup. They return to Champions League action on Tuesday, 17 February, when they host PSG in the first leg of their play-off clash.

The second leg takes place at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, 25 February (8pm kick-off). The winners will take on one of Barcelona or Chelsea in the round of 16 stage.

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