Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Provides Paul Pogba Fitness Update

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hopeful of having Paul Pogba available when his team open their 2020/21 Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace next weekend, but admits the Frenchman may be a doubt after missing training while he had coronavirus.

Pogba tested positive for coronavirus in late August and withdrew from the France national team to isolate accordingly. He is now back in training for United following the mandatory two-week quarantine, although has crucially missed important pre-season work.

But while Solskjaer hopes he will able to count on the influential star when United kick off their season – a week later than the rest of the Premier League – he isn’t certain it will be possible.

“Paul’s had a couple of training sessions so he’s lost out on a few sessions because of the virus, of course,” Solskjaer told MUTV on Friday, eight days before hosting Palace.

“But Paul is quick to get fit. Of course, he worked really hard to get back after lockdown last time and played the majority of the games. Hopefully, he’ll be ready for next weekend. I am not 100 per cent sure, though,” the United boss added.

Pogba’s availability will depend on how match fit he is this time next week. His involvement against Aston Villa in a hastily arranged pre-season friendly this Saturday is also unlikely - even though the game is not a competitive fixture.

However, that game is expected to mark summer signing Donny van de Beek’s first appearance in a United shirt following his £40m summer arrival from Ajax. The Dutch international will wear number 34 on his back this season as a tribute to close friend and ex-teammate Abdelhak Nouri.

The Aston Villa friendly should also feature Luke Shaw, who has fully recovered after missing the end of last season with an injury. Surprise.

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