Solskjaer admits Pogba is 'nowhere near' Man Utd return amid transfer talk

Paul Pogba appears to be facing a race to feature for Manchester United again this season, according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Pogba has played just eight games for United this season due to injury and not at all since the 4-1 win over Newcastle on Boxing Day, but has recently stepped up his recovery programme.

The French World Cup winner was not included in the Red Devils' squad for their recent warm-weather training camp in Marbella over the winter break.

Instead, Pogba went solo and jetted off to Dubai to continue his injury recovery.

And, while there were suggestions he could be on the brink of returning to first-team training soon, United boss Solskjaer has seemingly suggested Pogba could be sidelined for longer than initially hoped.

Solskjaer also recently claimed Pogba is "desperate" to play for the club again, despite once more being linked with a return to Italy.

Solskjaer was no doubt frustrated to see Pogba's agent Mino Raiola say earlier this week that the player views Italy as his "second home" and wants to return to Juventus, but was not about to agree with the suggestion that it had been a "disastrous" season for the 26-year-old midfielder.

"You're not going to get that headline from me," said Solskjaer.

"As a player, the last thing you want to be is injured, and not being able to contribute to your team. Paul's a footballer and he wants to play football. He knows he has to work hard now to get back to his best.

"He's been out for so long now, it's a challenge for him as well to get back into shape.

"I've been injured for a long, long time myself, it's a difficult period of your career, but it's part and parcel of being a player.

"He's taken off his cast, so when he comes back here we'll integrate him with us. Hopefully soon. He's started running on the treadmill now, so he's getting closer. It's been a long haul, this, so hopefully, we'll see him back soon."