Pogba’s career hits new low as former Man Utd star left in the cold | Football | Sport

AS Monaco have reportedly left former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba out of their Champions League squad. The Frenchman, who returned to Old Trafford in a record-breaking £89million transfer in August 2016, has restarted his professional football career after serving a ban for testing positive for the prohibited substance DHEA.

He departed United once again on a free transfer in June 2022, returning to Italian giants Juventus before exiting the Serie A side in November 2024 – despite successfully having his four-year suspension reduced following an appeal. It was announced in June that Pogba had joined Monaco on a two-year contract – bringing an end to a lengthy period out of the game following his drugs ban.

Pogba subsequently participated in a three-month programme designed to restore him to match fitness. He did ultimately make his comeback on November 22 for his first outing in 811 days, appearing late on in a 4-1 loss to Rennes – and he made two further substitute appearances against Paris Saint-Germain and Brest, though these combined for just 30 minutes.

The 32-year-old then sustained a calf problem and has not played since December 5. And according to French publication RMC Sport, Pogba has now been omitted from Monaco’s Champions League squad for the latter half of the campaign as he continues to grapple with the injury.

Monaco are set to face PSG in the knockout round play-offs later this month, and Pogba – along with Mohammed Salisu and Takumi Minamino – has been removed from the squad. UEFA regulations permit clubs to register three new players for the knockout stages.

Both Salisu and former Liverpool player Minamino have been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to serious knee injuries. Taking their places in the squad are new arrivals Wout Faes and Simon Adingra, as well as Krepin Diatta.

Pogba was named on the bench for two Champions League league phase matches against Pafos and Galatasaray, but did not feature in either – and this latest development casts significant doubt over his future at the club.

Speaking in mid-January, Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro acknowledged that ‘the plan implemented since Paul’s arrival isn’t working as expected’.

He said: “The entire medical department is focused on finding solutions. There’s no clear answer to that question.

“We still need to develop the process to clarify the situation. As with any injury, the first step will be to get back on the pitch, then continue to progress in training to regain the necessary fitness to play.”

Pogba was linked with several clubs once he was eligible to play again, including a third spell with United. The 2018 World Cup winner won the League Cup and the Europa League under then Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho during his second spell at M16.