Paul Pogba set for first AS Monaco start

Paul Pogba’s return to regular football has been a long time coming.

The midfielder has been gradually working his way back into contention after a difficult period since his move to AS Monaco.

The former Manchester United midfielder joined the Ligue 1 side as a free agent last summer.

It was a deal that generated significant excitement given his pedigree and previous success at the highest level.

However, his time in Monaco has so far been disrupted by fitness issues, limiting his impact in the early months of his spell.

The Frenchman has only played 57 minutes for the club.

He recently made a return for the club after over 120 days out, signalling a key step forward in his recovery.

Not long ago, he also found the net in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Brentford’s Under-23 side, further boosting confidence that he is nearing full match sharpness.

Now, according to Nice-Matin, Pogba is set to make his first start for AS Monaco in their upcoming Ligue 1 clash against Metz.

The 33-year-old is expected to feature in a deeper midfield role, operating just in front of the defence in what is considered his natural position.

Injuries have played a major role in preventing him from building any real momentum in Sebastien Pocognoli’s side.

His potential inclusion in the starting XI therefore marks a significant moment, not just for the player but also for Monaco.

They will be hoping his experience and quality can influence their run-in.

There is also the possibility of a tactical adjustment to accommodate him, with different midfield combinations being considered ahead of the fixture.

Pogba has not started a competitive match in over three years, dating back to his time at Juventus, which underlines the scale of this moment.

All eyes will now be on whether he can take this opportunity and begin to re-establish himself as a consistent presence at the top level.