Paul Pogba taking extra Man Utd training sessions to get fit and join Bruno Fernandes in midfield
PAUL POGBA has been staying late for extra training as the Manchester United midfielder nears full fitness and an eagerly-awaited link-up with Bruno Fernandes.
The French World Cup winner has been out with an ankle injury since December, with £55million January buy Fernandes shining in his place.
Now the say Pogba has had individual training sessions and should be back in full training next week.
Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: "Paul's still working with the physios outside and he won't be training with the first-team until next week.
"Then let's see how long that will take. He needs time to get his football fitness back."
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With United on Solskjaer's longest unbeaten run as boss, with seven wins in those ten games, Old Trafford fans will be anxious to see how Pogba slots in alongside Portugal star Fernandes.
The Norwegian has publicly insisted he wants Pogba for the long haul, despite repeated speculation over a move to Real Madrid or old club Juventus.
But in the past month Fernandes has been the consistent, creative, attacking midfielder United have long lacked.
And support players like Scott McTominay and Fred have also stepped up a gear.
Nonetheless, after beating Manchester City 2-0 on Sunday for United's third win over their neighbours this season, Solskjaer admitted his squad still needs extra quality.
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He said: "We feel we are improving all the time. We know we lack one, two, three players to be considered a title contender and some experience.
"We are just going to start talking about going up the table, getting more points."
Soon then it will be up to Pogba to show he can fit into what is now a much more cohesive unit, rather than remain the player who can inspire one minute, disappear the next.