Paul Pogba: Manchester United midfielder 'desperate' to play, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Watch Man City vs Man Utd from 7pm on Sky Sports Football; kick-off is at 7.45pm

Image: Paul Pogba has made just eight appearances in all competitions this season

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Paul Pogba is "desperate" to play for Manchester United after having his ankle cast removed following surgery, but it remains unclear when the midfielder will return.

The 26-year-old has made only eight appearances in all competitions this season having been sidelined for three months earlier in the campaign before deciding to undergo surgery.

"Paul's had a terrible season with injuries, he's desperate to play football," United boss Solskjaer said ahead of Wednesday's League Cup semi-final against Manchester City, where his side will look to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit.

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"It's hard to put timescales on long-term injuries," the Norwegian added. "He loves playing and he loves just being out there training as well, and it's been playing on his mind.

"I see a boy that is fed up of being injured. Paul has always been a top professional. I don't have any doubts when he comes back he's going to enjoy himself."


'Man Utd have failed to meet Pogba's ambitions'

Just last week, Pogba's agent Mino Raiola told Sky Sports News United have failed to match the France international's ambition since he re-joined the club in 2016.

United broke the world transfer record to re-sign Pogba from Juventus in an £89m deal but the 26-year-old has grown frustrated at Old Trafford and expressed a desire for a "new challenge" last summer.

Raiola was non-committal when asked if Pogba would move this summer, but he indicated United's ongoing struggles on the pitch would factor into his decision.

Agent Mino Raiola has questioned Manchester United's ambition and admits he can't give any guarantees about whether Paul Pogba will stay at the club beyond the summer

"I don't say anything for sure. Today he is not happy because he is not playing. He is recovering. Paul if he does not play he is not happy," Raiola told Sky Sports News.

"But I saw him go back to Manchester United when people did not think he would go back. People tend to forget that. People tend to imagine that Manchester United was the only club that he could have signed for. He chose Manchester United.

"Everybody knows the ambition from both parts is not being met the last years. Let's be honest, let's talk about the elephant in the room.

"So we need to see in the summer if Paul is still in the plans of Manchester United and if Manchester United is still in the plans of Paul."

Highlights of the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg between Manchester United and Manchester City

Despite making no signings in the January transfer window so far, midfielder Bruno Fernandes looks set to arrive at Old Trafford after United agreed a transfer fee of around £68m with Sporting Lisbon.

United increased their offer to Sporting for Fernandes twice in the past 24 hours, the second for a deal which could be worth 80m euros (£67.76m).

After weeks of negotiations, United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has reached an agreement with Sporting's director Hugo Viana which could see United pay an initial fee of 55m euros (£46.56m) plus add-ons for Fernandes, with the deal eventually rising to 80m euros (£67.76m).

Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol takes a look at the finer details of Manchester United's bid for Bruno Fernandes

How to follow the January transfer window with Sky Sports

Sky Sports will bring you the very latest news from the January transfer market with the return of three shows.

Start your day with Good Morning Transfers at 9am as our team of reporters bring you the latest news and insight. Transfer Talk then follows at midday delivering analysis of the biggest stories. Then join us at 7pm for the definitive round-up of the day's news with The Transfer Show.

Meanwhile, the Transfer Talk podcast will also be back at the turn of the year with more expert analysis from here and across the continent.

And as well as tuning into Sky Sports News, don't miss a thing with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.