Pogba back for United but Lingard is given time off

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is set to return from his three-month injury lay-off but wantaway Jesse Lingard has been given the weekend off to clear his head after seeing a move blocked.

Pogba has not featured since the Champions League draw at Atalanta on 2 November after sustaining a thigh injury on international duty with France.

The 28-year-old is out of contract this summer and interim manager Ralf Rangnick says he will be involved in Friday's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Middlesbrough.

"Paul will be part of the group," he said. "He might even be in the starting XI. There are still a couple of players missing out."

United will be without a number of players against Boro, including attacking midfielder Lingard.

The 29-year-old, whose deal also expires this summer, had hoped to leave before the transfer deadline but saw that blocked.

Rangnick added: "He asked me and the club if we could give him a couple of days off just to clear up his mind and he will be back in the group, I suppose, next Monday, back for training and then be a regular part of the whole squad again."