Pogba Returns: Rangnick Reveals Midfielder’s Position In Manchester United’s FA Cup Tie

Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick confirmed Paul Pogba’s return Thursday ahead of his side’s FA Cup tie.

Pogba has not played for Manchester United since the 2-2 draw with Atalanta in the Champions League in November 2021. He had picked up a serious thigh injury while on international duty with France.

The injury saw Pogba miss out on as many as 14 competitive matches for the Red Devils in the 2021-22 season.

“I think he’s definitely ready for tomorrow and, since Fred only came back yesterday with jet-lag, as he played for Brazil, for me, it is quite logical to let Paul play. To see how he is doing and what kind of level he can play,” Rangnick told Man Utd’s media.

In a pre-match conference ahead of Manchester United’s FA Cup clash with Middlesbrough, when Rangnick was asked if he could bring the best out of Pogba, he replied, "I don’t know. I’m happy to have him back in the squad and he might be playing from the start tomorrow."

A lot has changed at Old Trafford after Pogba was sidelined with the injury. The club sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and brought in Rangnick as its interim in charge until the end of the season.

The German boss also suggested Pogba’s possible position in his set up.

"I see his best possible position for me as one of the central midfield positions as either an 8 or 10 but the way we’re currently playing I’d rather see him in the 8 position but we’ll have to see," added Rangnick.

Pogba’s current contract with the Red Devils is set to expire in the 2022 summer and the French midfielder has not signed an extension yet.

"It's up to him now his contract is expiring in the summer and if in the end, he would like to stay or go somewhere else he has to show up. It’s not only in the interest for us as a club but it’s in his personal interest that he plays and performs at the highest possible level in the next couple of weeks," added Rangnick.

Manchester United are placed fourth in the 2021-22 Premier League. They are also alive in the Champions League as they are set to take on Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16 later this month.