Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is poised to make his long-awaited return to competitive football this weekend. The Frenchman hasn't featured in a match for more than two years.

He signed for Ligue 1 outfit Monaco during the summer following a seven-and-a-half month spell as a free agent. He departed Juventus in mid-November following a mutual termination of his contract.

The 32-year-old had been serving a suspension after failing a drugs test, with his initial four-year ban cut to 18 months following an appeal. He became available for selection again in March this year, but didn't join Monaco until the summer.

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Despite being cleared to play, Pogba has yet to feature for Monaco this campaign whilst working to regain match sharpness. His comeback was initially scheduled for after the October international window.

That target was subsequently delayed due to a minor setback in his fitness A fresh target date for the Paris FC fixture at the beginning of the month was then set.

But those plans were once more thrown into disarray when the midfielder picked up an ankle problem during training. The injury further delayed the midfielder's debut.

According to L'Equipe, Monaco are preparing to name Pogba in their matchday squad for Saturday evening's Ligue 1 clash with Rennes. If he takes to the field, it will mark the player's first appearance since 3 September 2023, when Juventus defeated Empoli 2-0 in Serie A.

Discussing the ankle knock that ruled him out of the Paris FC encounter, Monaco manager Sebastien Pocognoli said: "We are awaiting confirmation of the severity of the injury.

"The idea is that he can be available after the international break; that is the plan that we are following. We are all disappointed."

Monaco currently sit sixth in the Ligue 1 table with a tally of 20 points from their first 12 matches and are set to face Rennes away this weekend, before jetting off to Cyprus for a Champions League group stage clash against Pafos on Wednesday night.

Both squads have managed to secure five points from their initial four tournament games and are in 19th and 20th place in the league stage. Pogba's most recent Champions League outing was for United in the Last 16 showdown against Atletico Madrid back in March 2023.

The midfielder enjoyed two stints at United, initially rising through the youth ranks between 2009 and 2012, prior to his transfer to Juventus.

He then made return to Old Trafford in 2016, with a hefty price tag of £89 million. During his time there, he clocked up 233 appearances, netted 39 goals and delivered 51 assists.

In 2022, he made a free transfer back to Juventus. His tenure at United saw him as part of the team that clinched the League Cup in 2010 and 2017, as well as the Europa League in the 2016/17 season.