Why Paul Pogba is not playing for Monaco vs Man City in the Champions League as return plan confirmed

Paul Pogba has yet to feature for Monaco since he signed for the club in the summer. The former Manchester United man will not be involved against Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola claimed Paul Pogba was offered to Manchester City in 2018, three months later he scored twice for Manchester United in the derby to delay an Etihad title celebration.

Pogba struck twice as United came from two down to win 3-2 in April 2018 on a day when a City victory would have made them champions. Guardiola's men ended the season on top and have gone from strength to strength since.

For Pogba, it has been a rocky road since those derby heroics. He flattered to deceive for large periods at Old Trafford and left for Juventus on a free transfer. He made just one start for the Italian side before receiving a four-year suspension after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a suspension which was reduced to 18 months on appeal.

He subsequently joined Monaco in the summer but is still working his way to full fitness after his spell out of the game, while injuries have hindered him on several occasions over the last few years.

Still only 32, the France international could return after the international break but the game against City on Wednesday night in the Champions League will come too soon.

Monaco manager Adi Hutter confirmed the midfielder is not yet ready to feature having last week said the club were sticking to their three-month return to action plan with the World Cup winner. "We're in our process," said Hutter. "We've given ourselves three months. He's getting closer to the group. He's physically and mentally well."

Speaking in July, Monaco's General Director, Thiago Scuro, said: "We expect a three-month process. High-level sport is a lot about science and it is not easy. Monaco is one of the most intense teams in Ligue 1 and play a style that requires him to be fit."

Pogba himself knew it would be a long road to a first team return when he joined Monaco.

Speaking after signing in July, he said: "I definitely want to get back on the pitch, but I can’t be in too much of a hurry.

"Sometimes kids want things right away, but management told me they’d take the time to get me in top shape. I’m here first and foremost to help the team, but I won’t be able to do it at 50%.

"So I really want to take the time I need to contribute and listen to the club.

"I’m really determined once again to get a feel for the pitch and the ball again, but we’ll take the time we need for that."

Monaco are without several midfielders for the match with City, with Lamine Camara, Denis Zakaria, Aleksandr Golovin, and Aladji Bamba all sidelined.

It means Huter, who watched his side lose 4-1 in their Champions League opener to Club Brugge, is expecting a tough task against Guardiola's men.

"They’re one of the best teams in the world," he said after his side's weekend defeat to Lorient. "We’ll have to do our best, and maybe we’ll have a chance to come away with something, but we know who we’re facing. They’ll be the favourites, but we’ll prepare the team as best we can."