Solskjaer hails returning Pogba as ´the best all-round midfielder in the world´

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has welcomed the return of Paul Pogba, a player he describes as the “best all-round midfielder in the world”.

Pogba made his long-awaited comeback from an ankle injury by coming on as a substitute in the second half of a 2-0 defeat at Watford on Sunday and is expected to start when Newcastle visit Old Trafford on Boxing Day.

It was the France World Cup-winner’s first United appearance since September and Solskjaer is looking forward to fitting Pogba into his side, even if he remains unsure as to his best position.

The United manager said: “He did really well when he came on [at Watford]. It’s a big, big plus, and it might be that we do get him in from the start.

“He can play anywhere, the whole midfield. He’s a box-to-box midfielder. He can drop deep, play them long passes, get higher up and combine, [play] one-twos – him and Anthony [Martial] and Marcus [Rashford] creating chances down that side – so it depends on the game.

“That’s the beauty of having Paul: he is the best all-round midfielder in the world, he can do all roles, but if I play him low, he should’ve played high, and if I play him high, he should’ve played low.

“It’s always going to be that discussion with him. But it’s great to have him back.”

Pogba will add dynamism to a United midfield that has largely underwhelmed over the first half of the season. Solskjaer’s men head into Christmas in eighth place in the Premier League, seven points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.