Pogba to undergo surgery with World Cup place in doubt, Allegri confirms

Paul Pogba could be set to miss the World Cup after deciding to undergo surgery on a troublesome knee injury, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed.  

Pogba ended a six-year spell at Manchester United to return to Turin in July but has yet to play a competitive game during his second Bianconeri spell after injuring his meniscus.

The midfielder, who was a key part of France’s 2018 World Cup-winning side, initially opted for therapy over surgery in a bid to ease his injury woes ahead of the tournament in Qatar, which begins in November.

But speaking ahead of Juventus’ Champions League group-stage trip to Paris Saint-Germain, Allegri revealed the 29-year-old will now go under the knife, casting doubt over his chances of featuring in Qatar.

“I have to count on having him back in January. Whether he plays the World Cup or not isn’t my problem,” Allegri said on Monday.

“This morning he trained for the second time, but then stopped, and it was then decided that he will undergo surgery.

“I hope we get him back before the World Cup. But there are [less than three months] to go until it starts. 

“The World Cup isn’t my problem. Juventus is, which returns in January.

“Pogba had made a conservative choice, we will get him back in January. It will hardly be before November, we need to be realistic.”