KEY POINTS

  • Paul Pogba suffered a thigh injury last month during Man Utd's 3-3 draw with Everton
  • He has played 28 competitive matches for Man Utd this season
  • Man Utd are 15 points behind Man City in the league table

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given an important update on injured Paul Pogba's possible return ahead of Manchester United's meeting with Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

Pogba has not played for Manchester United since he suffered a thigh injury in the Red Devils' 3-3 draw against Everton on Feb. 6 in the Premier League. Although he is yet to return to first-team training, Solskjaer is optimistic that Pogba will play before Manchester United head-off for the international break, after their FA Cup quarter-final against Leicester City on March 21.

"I hope we will. Definitely. He's very positive. He's working really hard and he knows when he gets back, we haven't got two or three games to give him time to play himself into form, so he's working hard. When you've got the quality of Paul, his fitness is the main thing – and mentality. You know when the sun is out in Manchester, there's nothing to complain about," Man Utd's official website quoted Solskjaer as saying ahead of the Crystal Palace match.

When Pogba was sidelined last month, Solskjaer was already without midfielders Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek. In their 0-0 draw with Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday, McTominay returned to action, while Van de Beek, who was on the bench at Stamford Bridge, also returned after a gap of two weeks.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba celebrates scoring against Fulham
Paul Pogba is a product of Manchester United's youth academy. POOL / PETER CZIBORRA

Van de Beek, who did not play the Chelsea game, once again may not play in the game against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, Solskjaer said in the same interview.

"He's not there yet, completely where we want him to be, or where he wants to be. He's still a doubt for tomorrow," added Solskjaer.

Meanwhile, the central attacking midfielder Juan Mata and defender Phil Jones will also be missing when Manchester United travel to Selhurst Park for Wednesday's game.

Out of their last five league games, Manchester United have managed to win two and draw the rest. In the process, Solskjaer's side has fallen 15 points behind leaders Manchester City.

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