KEY POINTS

  • Paul Pogba scored in Man Utd's 1-0 win over AC Milan on Thursday
  • He returned to action after a long injury lay-off
  • Pogba now has netted five goals and three assists this season

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hailed Paul Pogba, saying he made a "big difference" Thursday as Manchester United qualified for the last-eight in the Europa League.

Pogba, who had missed the last 10 games due to a thigh injury, came off the bench to score the lone goal at the San Siro stadium to help Manchester United eliminate AC Milan from the European tournament.

It was the 28-year-old's second injury lay-off in the 2020-21 season but Solskjaer believes his return will give Manchester United a major boost for the remainder of the campaign.

"We've missed Paul. He's been out for almost two months and of course, any team would miss a player like Paul Pogba and he was just getting into his best form. And for us, he's going to give us a really big boost for the rest of the season. Today he made a very, very big difference for us," Solskjaer told Manchester United media after his side made it to the quarter-finals of Europa League 2020-21.

Pogba has netted five goals and provided three assists in the 29 competitive appearances he made for the Old Trafford side in the ongoing season.

"Technically, he's one of the best footballers around. It was a very good slot. I'm very happy for Paul that he's back now and the boys have done very well in the two months without him. We've worked hard, playing a game every three days and now we've added Donny, David’s back and hopefully Anthony and Edinson are back soon, so it’s looking bright," added Solskjaer in the same interview.

The World Cup-winning midfielder had suffered the thigh injury during Manchester United's 3-3 draw against Everton at Old Trafford last month. Ever since then, the Red Devils have struggled in the Premier League. Had they won the Everton game, Solskjaer's side would have gone level on points with Manchester City. Now Manchester United are 14 points behind leaders City in the 2020-21 Premier League race.

Manchester United's upcoming task is their quarter-final clash with Leicester City in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Pogback on top: Paul Pogba's winner at Burnley took Manchester United top of the Premier League for the first time in three years
Pogba moved from Juventus to Manchester United in the summer of 2016. POOL / Clive Brunskill