Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick has suggested that Paul Pogba will not return from a thigh injury until late February.
The 28-year-old has not made an appearance for United since November 2, a consequence of sustaining his current fitness issue while on international duty with France a week later.
Pogba, who is out of contract at the end of the season, had been expected to be back in contention by the middle of January.
However, the World Cup winner has seemingly been dealt a setback in his recovery, leaving Rangnick to reveal that there is little prospect of Pogba returning for another six weeks.
Rangnick is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: "A week ago I was told it would take another four or five weeks. I've seen him this morning before the training session but currently I don't know how long it will take.
"He's not training with the team yet. As far as I know from the medical department, it will last another three weeks or four weeks, and once he is then fit for training it does not necessarily mean he is also match fit. It will probably take a couple of weeks before he is really able to compete for the first team."
United officials are allegedly prepared to hand Pogba a new lucrative contract, although that is something which has since been denied by the player.
