Paul Pogba's Manchester United future: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects Pogba to play a big role in 2020
Ole Gunnar Solskajer hopes that Paul Pogba can return to action before the end of the year, and expects him to play a big part in the second half of the season despite talk of him being sold in January.
The World Cup winner has played just six times this season due to injury, and opinin is split on whether he will, or should, remain with Manchester United beyond january's transfer window.
The 26-year-old injured his ankle in September and has not been seen since, and while he was seemingly missed during United's bad patch, opinions have switched following wins over Tottenham and Manchester City.
After admitting that leaving to join Real Madrid would be of interest in the summer, Pogba lost a few fans at Old Trafford, and now plenty believe cashing in during the transfer window would make sense.
Solskjaer, while hoping that Pogba can return before the New Year, insists he will have an impact in the second half of the season.
"He is still one of the best players in the world" 🌎
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 11, 2019
Ole Gunnar Solskjær has the latest on Paul Pogba's fitness and whether he will walk back in to the Manchester United side
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"We hope (Pogba will return this year). He's working hard to get fit so hopefully we can get him back on the pitch," said Solskjaer.
Asked if it is an automatic decision to put Pogba back in the starting line-up given the way Scott McTominay and Fred have played recently, Solskjaer added: "Let's get Paul fit first and then back in form and Paul will play loads of games.
"You know, for me, he's one of the best players in the world and we're looking forward to having him back."
Consistency key for young United
The two bigs wins in a week illustrated just what Solskjaer's side could do when at their best, but they followed disappointing draws against Aston Villa and Sheffield United.
Solskjaer knows that consistency is key for his side if they are to challenge for honours, and he hopes to get just that from his improving charges.
"Of course consistency is vital in football if you're going to win trophies," Solskjaer said.
"And this young team, they need to learn how to put performances on when maybe they don't feel like it, maybe don't feel great.
"Because it doesn't happen that you feel great every single time that you walk onto the pitch
"We've had some games this year where we've not been able to perform as well as we'd like, but that's a learning curve and with young boys I am sure in the next couple of years they'll improve that as well - and hopefully the rest of the season.
"Because we've come through a sticky patch with bad injuries and bad results, and we're looking brighter now."
Always doing the right things
There is an understandably positive mood around the camp following United's recent results, with the team bonding at their Christmas party at Winter Wonderland.
"Inside we've always had belief what we're doing is the right thing," Solskjaer said of the upturn in results.
"It might change the perception on the outside but results... you can't control that. Of course it could've been two draws, 4-0 wins, that's just the nature of football.
"Sometimes you've got the margins on your side and I think the decision we made by sending a young team to Kazakhstan and Astana made the players that stayed here have more energy and be really ready for this week because it was a hard week."
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