Ex-Man United star Paul Pogba takes step closer to AS Monaco first as major decision made

The latest Manchester United news and views as Paul Pogba is named in AS Monaco's Champions League squad.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba signed for AS Monaco this summer.(Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)

Paul Pogba's long wait to make his return to competitive action after almost two years goes on - but the former Manchester United midfielder has received a Champions League boost.

The 91-cap France international, now 32, is free to return to professional football after seeing out his reduced ban from the game after testing positive for a banned substance. Pogba had been without a team since leaving Italian giants Juventus in November 2024.

After over six months without a club, he signed a two-year deal with French side AS Monaco. Despite completing the move earlier this summer, he is yet to make his debut for the club after being left out of the squad completely for the first three Ligue 1 games of the season against Le Harve, Lille and Strasbourg.

Despite his absence from the squad so far this season, Monaco have hinted at his imminent inclusion by naming the midfielder in their squad for the upcoming Champions League campaign.

The French side kick off their Champions League charge with an away trip to Club Brugge on Tuesday, September 18 (5.45pm). They then take on Manchester City at home on Wednesday, October 1 (8pm).

Games against Tottenham (H), Bodo/Glimt (A), Pafos (A), Galatasaray (H), Real Madrid (A) and Juventus (H) follow.

When Pogba will finally be ready to make his return remains to be seen, but his inclusion in the club's Champions League squad hints that his debut may not be too far away. It means that he is likely to be able to feature against former club Juventus in the final league match of the tournament for Monaco.

Speaking following Pogba's arrival at the club, chief executive Thiago Scuro earmarked the timeline he expected Pogba to return in.

"I can guarantee he won't be on the pitch against Le Havre [for their opening match]," he said. "We are here to be realistic. We expect a three-month process."

That means that Pogba's return could come in October, and may start with the Champions League fixture against Man City at the start of the month.

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