Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said his team have missed Paul Pogba after the Frenchman helped the Premier League side reach the Europa League quarter-finals with the winning goal in a 1-0 victory at AC Milan.
Pogba, who had missed United's previous 10 matches with a thigh injury, needed only three minutes to prove his worth in the last-16 second leg on Thursday.
With United struggling to find a goal in the San Siro having drawn the first leg at home 1-1, Pogba came on at halftime and made an immediate impact with a clever finish.
'We've missed Paul - he's been out for almost two months,' Solskjaer said.
'He was just getting into his best form before his injury. He's going to give us a big boost for the rest of the season.'
Pogba has flattered to deceive for much of his time in Manchester since signing for a then-world record fee in 2016, but his form this campaign has been impressive, helping United climb to second in the Premier League table.
The French World Cup winner's abilities have not gone unnoticed among his team mates.
'It always makes a difference when you have a world-class player like Paul to come on,' left back Luke Shaw told BT Sport. 'He made the difference.'
Fellow midfielder Bruno Fernandes also commended Pogba's achievements, posting a photo of the duo on Twitter with the caption: 'The Italian Job' with Mr. @paulpogba. Quarter finals here we come!'
Another big-name player made his comeback from injury in the San Siro - Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic - but he could not find the net against his former club when coming on as a second-half substitute.
The Swede, who spent two seasons at United between 2016 and 2018, was denied by a fine save from Dean Henderson, but the Italian team did not test the United goalkeeper enough across the 90 minutes.
'We played well in both legs, but football is like that - if you don't score, you don't win,' Ibrahimovic said.
'If you don't take your chances, there will be moments when you will come under pressure in the game. In one of these moments, they managed to score. When you make mistakes, you pay for them.'
true_RED
575
Anyone who thinks we don’t need Pogba in our team is an absolute clown 🤡 Proving all the plastics and haters wrong!!! POGBA is a TRUE RED 🔴⚪️⚫️
Donwizzy93
382
This is what we talk about, your attitude towards the play is really important. It doesn't matter if you are returning from injury or not, but you vow to give your best whenever you get the opportunity. Good players doesn't need so much time to make impact, it only takes a little of brilliance. Pogba's test all through his time at Old Trafford has been tested and now he's resting in the team with much "Confidence". You have to be able to absorb the fear and pressure, then put in the right attitude to your play, believe me, you're going to hit it right. There is no less or more important player to the manager, he bought them because they're all important for him, but it is their minds and attitudes that makes the difference. Still on the Donny Van Da Beek's situation. He can make impact like Bruno and Pogba in the middle if he's able to put in the right attitude. I rest my case.
Partzee
193
For the first time, ole did what he has been failing to do in most games, when rashford is not performing well
RJLyngdoh
164
Pogba is like Captain Marvel for Man Utd. He will be there when they need him.