Man United's Paul Pogba set to be sidelined by hamstring injury

Is fixture build-up the reason for Paul Pogba's hamstring injury? Is fixture build-up the reason for Paul Pogba's hamstring injury?

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is facing around three weeks out after picking up an hamstring injury during Thursday's Europa League win over FC Rostov.

The 24-year-old France international pulled up early in the second half at Old Trafford and was replaced by Marouane Fellaini.

The international break is coming up after this weekend's round of fixtures but United boss Jose Mourinho does not think his player will be on duty for France and confirmed he will miss Sunday's Premier League game at Middlesbrough.

Asked after the last-16 second-leg tie if Pogba would be out for around three weeks, Mourinho replied: "Yeah.

"I don't know for sure but, for sure, no Middlesbrough [on Sunday] and no national team."

Juan Mata put Man United through to the last eight

The score was 0-0 at the time of Pogba's exit and United went on to win 1-0 courtesy of Juan Mata's 70th-minute goal, completing a 2-1 aggregate victory that sent them into the quarter-finals.

But the injury to Pogba adds to Mourinho's problems in midfield, with Ander Herrera facing a two-game domestic suspension following his dismissal during Monday's 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Chelsea.

Mourinho says FC Rostov posed a challenge to his Man Utd side in their Europa League last-16 victory Mourinho says FC Rostov posed a challenge to his Man Utd side in their Europa League last-16 victory

Pogba, who came to United in the summer for a world-record fee, was criticised in some quarters for his display during that Stamford Bridge cup tie.

But Mourinho has defended his player, saying he is "very happy with Paul".

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