Paul Pogba Set for Potential Blockbuster Debut Against Manchester City

The long-awaited return of Paul Pogba to competitive football is on the horizon, with the former Manchester United star included in AS Monaco’s squad for the UEFA Champions League. This news sets the stage for a potential high-profile debut against his old rivals, Manchester City.

Pogba, 32, joined the Ligue 1 club this summer after his doping ban was reduced to 18 months, concluding a two-year absence from the pitch. His last competitive match was back in September 2023, and since joining Monaco, he has been slowly integrated back into training. While he has yet to feature for manager Adi Hütter’s side in domestic play, his inclusion in the Champions League squad, wearing the No. 8 shirt, has fueled speculation of a dramatic comeback.

According to Get French Football News, a return before the end of September is unlikely, meaning Pogba will miss Monaco’s European opener against Club Brugge. However, a provisional return date has been penciled in for early October, which perfectly aligns with a highly anticipated home clash. On October 1, Monaco will host Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, a team that was surprisingly linked with a move for the Frenchman earlier this year.

While a starting role seems improbable, there is a distinct possibility that Pogba could make the matchday squad or even come off the bench to make his first appearance in a Monaco shirt. If that opportunity passes, his Champions League debut could come a few weeks later when Monaco hosts Tottenham Hotspur on October 22.

Pogba's potential return adds a compelling narrative to Monaco’s Champions League campaign, which will also see them face Bodo/Glimt, Pafos, Galatasaray, Real Madrid, and his former club, Juventus. All eyes will be on Monaco to see if their star midfielder can recapture his world-class form and make a headline-grabbing return to the big stage.