Paul Pogba injury: Manchester United midfielder not ready to return for Crystal Palace trip

Pogba ruled out but Cavani in contention after returning from muscle injury

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba (Manchester United via Getty Imag)

Paul Pogba is still recovering from his thigh injury and will not be available for Manchester United’s midweek trip to Crystal Palace, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed.

Solskjaer said last month that Pogba would not be fit enough to return until at least March but he will miss Wednesday’s Premier League meeting at Selhurst Park.

“Paul is still not ready for us,” the United manager said at his pre-match press conference. “He's feeling better, he's not been training with the team yet so he's definitely not travelling down to London.”

Juan Mata and Phil Jones are also unavailable but Edinson Cavani is in contention again having recovered from a muscle injury.

Solskjaer is looking forward to welcoming Cavani back into the fold but said that United still have “a couple of doubts” in the first-team squad.

“We've had a training session this morning, of course. It was a light one, we're looking OK. There are a couple of doubts tomorrow we have to give as much time as possible.

“Edinson has trained, that's good. Let's hope there's no reaction and he will travel to the squad.”

Speaking to MUTV, Solskjaer added: “It looks good. Edi has got the desire and hunger and, of course, he wants to join in, even if it’s from the bench. Hopefully he’ll say tomorrow that there’s been no reaction.”

Jones has not featured this season as he recovers from a knee injury and Solskjaer now doubts whether he will return in time to play before the end of the campaign, despite including him in United’s 25-man Premier League squad.

"With Phil, obviously we hope [he can play], he's working really hard. He had a couple of setbacks and it's that kind of injury you have to be patient with.

“I'm not sure [how long it will be], how long is a piece of rope? That's how I felt wheh I came back. Hopefully next season if not start of next.”