Pogba dealt injury blow as ex-Man Utd star's Juventus nightmare continues

04 September 2023 , 16:10

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Paul Pogba has been hit by another injury blow (Image: Getty Images)

Paul Pogba has been handed another injury setback just weeks after making his long-awaited return to action with Juventus.

Since re-signing for the Italian giants 14 months ago, the French international has been plagued by fitness struggles and injuries. A long-term knee injury, followed by a calf problem, confined him to just 161 minutes of action in Juve colours in 2022/23, and he was also ruled out of the World Cup in Qatar.

However, Manchester United's record signing played in the 1-1 draw at Bologna last month, and kept his place in the squad for the trip to Empoli on Sunday. And he showed flashes of promise after coming on as a 62nd substitute, with the 'Old Lady' winning 2-0 after goals from Danilo and Federico Chiesa.

However, the 2018 World Cup winner did not come through unscathed. Manager Massimiliano Allegri revealed afterwards Pogba complained of back pain after the final whistle, and will undergo tests this week.

"Pogba felt a pain in the back, we'll see what the exams say," Allegri told reporters after the game, before praising his cameo display. "Too bad because it went well."

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Pogba's final three seasons at Old Trafford were also hampered by injuries. He managed just 20 Premier League appearances in his last year in England before his contract expired, and only scored once.

Pogba has made just eight Serie A appearances since leaving Man United

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Pogba has won 91 caps for France but has not played for the national team since 2022. At 30, manager Didier Deschamps has not closed the door on a chance of a recall though.

Juventus currently lie third in Serie A, with seven points from their three games so far. Allegri is under pressure to mount a title challenge after finishing fourth in an underwhelming 2022/23 campaign.

Fraser Watson