Paul Pogba calls Antoine Griezmann ahead of Atletico Madrid vs Man Utd

Paul Pogba made sure to drop a call into Antoine Griezmann as the two best friends prepare to go head-to-head later this week.

Manchester United take on Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday night.

The clash will pit the two French internationals against each other, with Griezmann hoping to finally kick start his second spell in the Spanish capital.

Having returned from Barcelona on a loan deal which would become permanent, the 30-year-old has struggled with form and fitness and has scored just once since the start of December.

He missed eight LaLiga games either side of the winter break, but was an unused sub for Atleti’s win over Osasuna on Saturday night.

Pogba, who has been beset by his own injury concerns, is set to start for the visitors, having put in another impressive display during the win over Leeds at Elland Road.

The midfielder put in a virtuous display during the opening hour against Leeds and his withdrawal by Ralf Rangnick was a shock to supporters.

His replacement Fred vindicated the manager’s decision, scoring just minutes after his introduction.

Rangnick said of the change: “Pogba did great, but after 60 minutes you could see him starting to tire, which is normal after such a long injury break.

“It was great however to bring on two energetic players like Fred and Anthony Elanga.

“With them both scoring in the end this is the best part of it but I didn’t bring them on actually to score goals.

“It was more about getting more energy into the team and playing in the similar style to how we played in the first half.”

Regardless of Fred’s goalscoring intervention, Pogba is likely to get the nod against Atletico, as United hope to