Rangnick is confident surrounding Pogba return

Manchester United fans will surely rejoice after the timetable surrounding the return of French international midfielder Paul Pogba edges closer to him once again suiting up for the Red Devils.

Expected back in action come the month of February, Pogba looks set to bolster the United first-team squad with much-needed quality in the center of the park where current options Fred, Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matić, and Donny van de Beek have hardly impressed on a consistent basis.

Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick confident of seeing the ‘best possible’ Paul Pogba

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 22: Paul Pogba of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester United at St Mary’s Stadium on August 22, 2021 in Southampton, England. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)

But for interim manager Ralf Rangnick, confidence regarding Pogba’s ability to come back in his ‘best possible’ version is something that could very well push United to achieve their short-term objectives this season after the French star recently returned to first-team training;

“Well it was the first training session yesterday after two-and-a-half months of injury and in this training session he showed, in every moment, when we played 6v6 or whatever we did in the rondos, that he’s an extraordinary player and that he can give a lot of positive input into the team if he’s fully focused.

I had a long conversation with him for more than an hour after the training session, a very good conversation. He committed himself until the end of the season. He explained to me that he wants to be the best possible Paul Pogba that he can be.”

Rangnick continued;

Yes, I’m very much looking forward to having him available in two weeks’ time, after the international break, for three different competitions. As I said, what I saw in training yesterday was amazing: a very good standard of performance physically, emotionally and technically. Now it’s about showing that and having that transfer on to the pitch once he’s fully available.”

Note: Quotes via ManUtd.com from an exclusive pre-match interview

French star in line for a contract extension?

The future of Paul Pogba at Old Trafford remains up for debate despite his return to action early next month as the reality that Manchester United could be stripped of their most mercurial player in the summer remains a real one.

Pogba’s current deal with the Red Devils comes to an end at the conclusion of the current 2021-22 season, and Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain have already begun to circle according to The Express.

But some feel as though United should do everything it takes to extend the native of Lagny-sur-Marne as not only are the club lacking in overall quality (and depth of it) in the current team but should make him a key – if not the key – building block in the new regime after Ralf Rangnick is elevated to hierarchical status and a new boss appointed.

The Sky Sports Transfer Talk team discussed the current situation live in the studio with one simple overall thought; whoever the new manager is after Rangnick, they should either be allowed the opportunity to either accept Paul Pogba as a key player in what they plan to bring to the table at Manchester United, or the right to move on from the player. But certainly, their mind should not be made up for them before they even walk in the door when it comes to such a gifted player.