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Ralf Rangnick on Pogba return and how Greenwood affected Lingard move

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick says Paul Pogba may feature for the first time si...



Ralf Rangnick on Pogba return...
Soccer

Ralf Rangnick on Pogba return and how Greenwood affected Lingard move

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick says Paul Pogba may feature for the first time since he took over at the club this Friday night. 

United take on Middlesbrough in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford.

The French midfielder has been out with a thigh injury he picked up on international duty three months ago.

His last appearance for the club was during their 2-2 Champions League draw away to Atalanta on 2 November.

The German boss, while also providing updates on other players, has confirmed that he will return for the cup tie, possibly even making a start.

"Paul will be part of the group. He might even be in the starting 11.

"There are still a couple of players missing out.

"Edi Cavani will only return on the weekend. He contacted me a week ago and asked me if he could have two more days at home and I allowed him because I knew that he couldn't be in the starting 11 anyway, with jet-lag and only coming back today or last night.

"So he won't be part of the group.

"Victor Lindelof has been ill the whole week and not training. So he will also miss tomorrow's game.

Meanwhile Rangnick has also revealed that Mason Greenwood's arrest played a part in the decision to keep Jesse Lingard at the club.

Greenwood has been suspended while police investigate rape allegations made against him.

The England striker, who's currently out on bail, has also been questioned on suspicion of sexual assault and making threats to kill.

Rangnick says he had told Lingard, who was hoping to make a move to Newcastle in the January transfer window, he could go out on-loan before then.

"With all the development we had in the last couple of days things changed a little bit.

"On the other hand we also had no agreement with any other club so at one stage we had to take a final decision together with the board.

"He asked me and the club if we could give him a couple of days off, just to clear up his mind.

"He will be back in the group I suppose next Monday, back for training, and then be a regular part of the whole squad again."

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Jesse Lingard Manchester United Mason Greenwood Paul Pogba Ralf Rangnick