Pogba out for 4 to 6 weeks | No Megathreads

[Rozay]

I think what people are getting at is that nobody can say with absolute certainty that, yes, the injury is 100% healed. With each week that goes past, though, we can be more and more certain that it is. That's always a balancing act when footballers get injured. The need to get them back playing football asap (for the good of the team and their own fitness or "match rhythm" as Van Gaal would say) versus the possible longer term benefits of one more week doing specialised training with the least possible chance of over-stressing the injury. So, if Pogba does sit out the match this weekend then leaving it another couple of weeks before playing a match could have long-term benefits.

Yea I get that. I do get the impression that people are being over-cautious, and it has been like that in here for weeks. We will never play him unless he has healed, but I’ve been seeing for weeks when we thought he was recovered that we shouldn’t ‘risk’ him against Huddersfield, or ‘rest’ him against Benfica.

For me, once the muscle has healed, the next step is to get him playing footy, not just resting.

I’m far from qualified to contend with you in particular on matters pertaining to medicine of course, but it does seem a bit logical to me. Not Sure many can explain exactly why they want him to rest against Chelsea. I mean, it goes without saying that he shouldn’t play if he is not yet healed.

 

[Fortitude]

Yea I get that. I do get the impression that people are being over-cautious, and it has been like that in here for weeks. We will never play him unless he has healed, but I’ve been seeing for weeks when we thought he was recovered that we shouldn’t ‘risk’ him against Huddersfield, or ‘rest’ him against Benfica.

For me, once the muscle has healed, the next step is to get him playing footy, not just resting.

I’m far from qualified to contend with you in particular on matters pertaining to medicine of course, but it does seem a bit logical to me. Not Sure many can explain exactly why they want him to rest against Chelsea. I mean, it goes without saying that he shouldn’t play if he is not yet healed.

A game as potentially strenuous as a wounded Chelsea at their place is surely the worst of circumstances to throw him into?

At least if we were up against a team we expect to have the majority of the play against Pogba could be eased in, but one intense track back on a marauding Hazard... I don't know about you but I'll be watching that with my hands over my eyes.

After Giggs and Owen, we as a club have had a nightmare with hammys so there's an element of pragmatism in thinking when is the right time to reintroduce our best player.

 

[Rozay]

A game as potentially strenuous as a wounded Chelsea at their place is surely the worst of circumstances to throw him into?

At least if we were up against a team we expect to have the majority of the play against Pogba could be eased in, but one intense track back on a marauding Hazard... I don't know about you but I'll be watching that with my hands over my eyes.

After Giggs and Owen, we as a club have had a nightmare with hammys so there's an element of pragmatism in thinking when is the right time to reintroduce our best player.

I hear that, but in response to your last line, my answer would be ‘when he’s fit’.

A player returning from a hamstring injury after two months has hardly been rushed back.

 

[Northstand]

Stupid goddam title change got me excited.

Yep. And thread title still says 4-6 weeks out when it’s already been over 7...

 

[markorm]

He'll be on the bench.

We'll choke the game and hope for a counter, if not, bring him on at 60 with Martial. Dink-dink 2 goals, job done. Shush to the camera, word in Conte's ear, we all go home.

sorted.

 

[Trizy]

He'll be on the bench.

We'll choke the game and hope for a counter, if not, bring him on at 60 with Martial. Dink-dink 2 goals, job done. Shush to the camera, word in Conte's ear, we all go home.

sorted.

This.

Although, I hope if we win Jose does the '''shush'' to the fans, Conte and the media

Or the Barca vs Inter 2010 celebration across the pitch.

 

[Needham]

Thought his return to football would be heralded by a new emoji.

 

[Lennon7]

He'll be on the bench.

We'll choke the game and hope for a counter, if not, bring him on at 60 with Martial. Dink-dink 2 goals, job done. Shush to the camera, word in Conte's ear, we all go home.

sorted.

Dink-dink, 2 goals, job done. I like it

 

[Darkhorsez]

He'll be on the bench.

We'll choke the game and hope for a counter, if not, bring him on at 60 with Martial. Dink-dink 2 goals, job done. Shush to the camera, word in Conte's ear, we all go home.

sorted.

Ha ha!!! Can’t wait to see this happen

 

[sammsky1]

Yea I get that. I do get the impression that people are being over-cautious, and it has been like that in here for weeks. We will never play him unless he has healed, but I’ve been seeing for weeks when we thought he was recovered that we shouldn’t ‘risk’ him against Huddersfield, or ‘rest’ him against Benfica.

For me, once the muscle has healed, the next step is to get him playing footy, not just resting.

I’m far from qualified to contend with you in particular on matters pertaining to medicine of course, but it does seem a bit logical to me. Not Sure many can explain exactly why they want him to rest against Chelsea. I mean, it goes without saying that he shouldn’t play if he is not yet healed.

But you do agree that a midfield game vs the likes of Benfica or Swansea is a very different requirement to parking the bus vs Chelsea? Surely it's better to rejoin the team in a less strenuous game?

 

[sunama]

He'll be on the bench.

We'll choke the game and hope for a counter, if not, bring him on at 60 with Martial. Dink-dink 2 goals, job done. Shush to the camera, word in Conte's ear, we all go home.

sorted.

This would be nice.

 

[P-Nut]

Surely the MEN tweet means he's travelled for the game? If not then what a shit story!

 

[ManuMou]

I reckon, at best, Jose will only allow him to make the bench.

Yes it's Chelsea, but in a grand scheme of things

1. Recovered from a "quite big" injury
2. It's 3 points. It's November, after this we still have 27 games
3. Dec heavy fixtures

From a risk management standpoint, it's not worth the risk.

If it's a cup final, then different story.

 

[red4ever 79]

Cant see Pogba being involved. More likely to be back for the next match at home to Newcastle on the 18th Nov

 

[Rozay]

But you do agree that a midfield game vs the likes of Benfica or Swansea is a very different requirement to parking the bus vs Chelsea? Surely it's better to rejoin the team in a less strenuous game?

Not really.

If a muscle that was torn has fully healed, he is in no more or less risk of tearing it against Benfica than he is against Chelsea. And if he does, it would be just because it’s a muscle and it can tear, not because of the previous injury. I mean, a game against Chelsea may be of higher intensity, but then he could tear it against Chelsea whether he played them tomorrow or in March. Given he no longer has a hamstring injury.

Pogba damaged his hamstring last season, and it wasn’t as soon as he came back, but several months later into this season that he damaged it again. He’s only more likely to injure it again this weekend if it hasn’t fully healed yet. In which case, I’d agree that he has no business playing.

He’s a pro footballer, the game is ‘strenuous’. The game in which he tore the muscle in the first place wasn’t some top of the table clash in which he was chasing Eden Hazard down the wing.

 

[groovyalbert]

Worth having him in the squad even if he doesn't get any game time. Even the potential for his involvement forces Conte to prepare for the possibility of facing us with him.

Of course the negative risks outweigh the positives of playing him, but that's not to say he still can't force Chelsea's hand somewhat.

 

[SwansonsTache]

For once I welcome the international break, he will be 100% by the end of it.

 

[MZX7]

Pogba aside , carrick also may be available as i heard he was back in training since monday.

?? Where did you hear this? Not like Carrick would help on this game but just curious...

 

[Son Of Sam]

I have a sneaky feeling Pogba will play on Sunday. Jose made him wait this long so he could unleash him on Chelsea.

 

[Fox E Power]

If he's only 90% and plays any part v Chelsea don't you think he's likely to play for France too, which would be big risk if he's not fully ready.

 

[Elokobi]

If he's only 90% and plays any part v Chelsea don't you think he's likely to play for France too, which would be big risk if he's not fully ready.

They have announced their squad already. I can't seem them changing it for a few meaningless friendlies.

 

[Raees]

Yea I get that. I do get the impression that people are being over-cautious, and it has been like that in here for weeks. We will never play him unless he has healed, but I’ve been seeing for weeks when we thought he was recovered that we shouldn’t ‘risk’ him against Huddersfield, or ‘rest’ him against Benfica.

For me, once the muscle has healed, the next step is to get him playing footy, not just resting.

I’m far from qualified to contend with you in particular on matters pertaining to medicine of course, but it does seem a bit logical to me. Not Sure many can explain exactly why they want him to rest against Chelsea. I mean, it goes without saying that he shouldn’t play if he is not yet healed.

I can't see how anyone has fully recovered until they build match fitness and get their conditioning back properly.

He might be able to sprint now but that is not enough to throw him into an encounter like Chelsea unless he's played several matches behind closed doors.

 

[wolvored]

Do you think it might be a surprise and he plays? Wouldnt surprise me, as it could be another Jose mindgame. Wasnt he in a video dancing a week or so ago?

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Do you think it might be a surprise and he plays? Wouldnt surprise me, as it could be another Jose mindgame. Wasnt he in a video dancing a week or so ago?

FFS, stop with the 'he was dancing in a video so he must be OK.'

Dancing or even running in a straight line has no bearingo n how a hamstring will fare in the rigours of a football match

 

[Greek9]

The real problem here lies in the upcoming international fixtures, assuming Jose puts him in against Chelsea then doesn't that automatically mean will be called up to play for France? I really don't think Jose wants that..

 

[el3mel]

The real problem here lies in the upcoming international fixtures, assuming Jose puts him in against Chelsea then doesn't that automatically mean will be called up to play for France? I really don't think Jose wants that..

France squad for the break has already been announced. Him playing this or not won't affect it.

I don't think he'll play btw. After the break that's it.

 

[Rozay]

I can't see how anyone has fully recovered until they build match fitness and get their conditioning back properly.

He might be able to sprint now but that is not enough to throw him into an encounter like Chelsea unless he's played several matches behind closed doors.

You don’t need games to recover from a muscle injury. You need rest, physics and on occasions, surgery.

You do need games to regain your optimum match sharpness. I’m proposing that he plays games.

Not playing him, based on what you’ve said, would be down to a fear that he wouldn’t play well or to his best. I agree with that concern. I don’t think it’s down to the fact that he’s been injured and playing football may injure him again though. That’s my main point I guess.

Still, I think his qualities are so important to getting the best out of other key players, so I’d play him. I just disagree that playing him will be ‘risking’ him. Unless he’s still not healed of course.

 

[madaboutmufc]

He'll be on the bench.

We'll choke the game and hope for a counter, if not, bring him on at 60 with Martial. Dink-dink 2 goals, job done. Shush to the camera, word in Conte's ear, we all go home.

sorted.

It's a simple game when you get right down to it.

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

This.

Although, I hope if we win Jose does the '''shush'' to the fans, Conte and the media

Or the Barca vs Inter 2010 celebration across the pitch.

Or running to the centre circle and embedding a United flag in the pitch (a la Souness).

 

[VeevaVee]

Think they've downplayed everything to avoid the media bigging it up as the end of our season and affecting the team. If they'd said 2 months out it would've been huge news with everyone talking about it.

 

[Steven Seagull]

Zaha is their flashiest player - that's a long way from "best". His passing is awful and he loses the ball (either from a crappy touch or just not being able to hang on to it) almost 8 times a game. He'd be lucky to get a game with the U-23s - no way Mourinho would let him near the first team. Having said that, his underlying problem is just the same as Barkley - neither of them has a brain. Which pretty much disqualifies them when tactical understanding and flexibility are major requirements for all our players.

Who’s their best player then, if Zaha is a long way off it?

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Posters who think he'll be back for Sunday will be very disappointed. Probably the same that thought Mourinho was playing "mind games" against Liverpool and he'd be back all the way at the start of last month. Mourinho confirmed that he's training individually and not with the squad.

 

[mark_a]

He'll be on the bench.

We'll choke the game and hope for a counter, if not, bring him on at 60 with Martial. Dink-dink 2 goals, job done. Shush to the camera, word in Conte's ear, we all go home.

sorted.

What about JM sliding jubilantly down the touchline on his knees clutching Conte's wig?

 

[ravelston]

Who’s their best player then, if Zaha is a long way off it?

From the perspective of who might be able to contribute for us, Cabaye would come closest.

 

[minoo-utd]

Sun claims that Pogba hasn't traveled with the team.

 

[Antisocial]

Annoying that since Pogba suffered his hamstring injury, Morata, Mane and Kante have all suffered their own hamstring injuries and returned in that time (Kante tomorrow) whilst we still don’t know anything for sure about Pogba

 

[Trizy]

Annoying that since Pogba suffered his hamstring injury, Morata, Mane and Kante have all suffered their own hamstring injuries and returned in that time (Kante tomorrow) whilst we still don’t know anything for sure about Pogba

So did Dembele and he's still out.

 

[SirAF]

What about JM sliding jubilantly down the touchline on his knees clutching Conte's wig?

Celebration of the century

 

[Sammyjunn]

So did Dembele and he's still out.

Which Dembele? Barcelona or Spurs?

 

[ChaddyP]

Which Dembele? Barcelona or Spurs?

Obviously Barca? i mean Spurs Dembele played at Old Trafford last week