Man United ace Paul Pogba banned from playing BASKETBALL to prevent any further hamstring damage
Midfielder has returned to the USA for treatment on muscle strain but has been told not to shoot any hoops on the trip
PAUL POGBA has been banned from playing BASKETBALL in a bid to prevent further hamstring injuries.
SunSport understands that Manchester United’s medical staff feel Pogba’s obsession with shooting hoops could aggravate his hamstring problem.
United fear that 6ft 5in Pogba, 24, is at risk of muscle strain as well as stress impact on his knees and ankles caused by playing basketball in his down time.
And his habit of slam dunking outside of team training is believed to have contributed to the serious hamstring injury which which could keep the France international out until December.
The Franchman is a massive fan of the NBA and is friends with several stars of the sport.
Last summer he posted a video on Instagram of him winning a one on one with with Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid.
Pogba’s use of a personal trainer who is not aligned to the Old Trafford staff has also led to concern about the suitability of his fitness regime away from the club.
Jose Mourinho, who is notoriously obsessive about managing his players’ fitness routines, is thought to have discussed Pogba’s off field activity with his staff.
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While team mates are on international duty, the former Juventus man has flown to the US for treatment on the strain as well as a few days off.
Mourinho will be happy that Romelu Lukaku, who plays basketball with Pogba, has been given the all-clear on an ankle scan while on international duty.
A statement from the Belgium FA read: "Romelu Lukaku underwent an MRI scan but no fracture or structural damage has been diagnosed.
"The next days he will follow an individual training programme.
"It is however too early to state that he won't be match fit for the Bosnia and/or Cyprus game."
