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Solskjaer defends Pogba for getting 'second opinion' on ankle injury

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended Paul Pogba after the Manchester United midfielder got a ‘second opinion’ on his latest ankle injury.

The France international has endured an injury-interrupted start to the season and has featured just eight times in all competitions, with the 26-year-old now expected to spend yet another sustained period on the sidelines following his latest setback.

Pogba was not part of the squad for the New Year’s Day defeat to Arsenal and is expected to miss around three to four weeks, having been advised to have another operation to correct his ongoing problems.

The midfielder’s decision to take a second opinion raised concerns he was acting without the club’s permission, however, ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup third round clash with Wolves, Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sounded pretty sick of answering questions about his unavailable midfielder, before offering further insight into the situation.

“Here we go again – FA Cup third round and you are talking about Paul,” Solskjaer said at his pre-match press conference.

“Paul came back after a long spell out. [He played] two games, had a reaction and could not go to Burnley.

“He felt his ankle was sore. We did a scan. It is not the same injury, it is a different injury. Of course when you get that scan, you speak to him.

“You always consult your own medical people as well, like I did when I had my operation. You want the best second opinion.

“The advice was to have it done. It is not going to be a major one and probably as I said three or four weeks.”

Solskjaer added he had his own medical people to lean on for advice during his playing days, and insists he has no issues with Pogba seeking additional help as he seeks to recover from an injury-plagued spell.

“You know you have people you trust and you speak to,” Solskjaer said.

“As I said, when I had knee operations I had my people in Norway and Sweden that I spoke to and Paul obviously has people as well that he trusts and that is important.

“That is as clear as it can be at this point.”

Giggs expects Pogba to leave Manchester United and expresses sympathy for Solskjaer

See also – Manchester United linked with a host of midfielders as Solskjaer confirms Pogba/McTominay injuries