Man Utd star Paul Pogba set for bench at Chelsea and Zlatan Ibrahimovic on verge of return

PAUL POGBA and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are very close to returning to match action for Manchester United.

Posted Friday, November 03, 2017 by Dailystar.co.uk

Man Utd star Paul Pogba set for bench at Chelsea and Zlatan Ibrahimovic on verge of return
Man Utd have had neither Paul Pogba or Zlatan Ibrahimovic available for nearly two months

Both star players have been sidelined for some time but are near to a comeback.

United's £89m record signing Pogba tore his hamstring in mid-September, while Ibrahimovic has been absent since April due to his serious knee injury.

Mourinho claimed this week he does not know when the France midfielder will be available.

And last season's top scorer for United, Ibrahimovic, has always had a pencilled return date of around the New Year.

But they have each amazed club staff with the speediness of their recoveries.

And according to The Sun, Pogba could be fit for a place on the bench this Sunday (4.30pm) at Chelsea.

An Old Trafford source told the paper: "Paul came back last week and has now resumed full training. He is close to a playing comeback.

"He had a session with the fitness coaches who said how good and sharp he looked. They were very impressed."

Pogba returned to Carrington last week and Jose Mourinho is apparently prepared to ease him back in.

Should the 24-year-old come through his first full week back in training, he is set to be named as a substitute against rivals Chelsea.

Meanwhile, after the international break, The Sun add Ibrahimovic may well be back playing.

While Pogba will certainly be ready by mid-November, his 35-year-old team-mate is also close to a first-team return.

Ibrahimovic re-signed for Manchester United in August after convincing the club he will be back to his best.

It is said he was in full training towards the end of last week and should be available for selection in the near future.

After the crucial showdown with Chelsea, United host Newcastle in the Premier League on November 18 before facing the likes of Basel, Brighton, Watford and Arsenal.

Ibrahimovic's last appearance for United came in the Europa League seven months ago.