Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba facing weeks on the sidelines after hamstring injury against Basle... as he leaves Old Trafford on crutches

• e-mail

Paul Pogba faces the prospect of weeks on the sidelines after a hamstring injury ended his night as Manchester United captain abruptly.

The central midfielder pulled up after just 19 minutes against Basle at Old Trafford, appearing to overstretch while making a challenge, and he left the ground on crutches.

Pogba immediately signalled to the bench and headed straight down the tunnel shaking his head in disappointment. 

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba was forced off the pitch with a hamstring injury

The typical length of time out with a hamstring injury is three weeks, which Pogba now faces

Pogba was seen leaving Old Trafford on crutches on Tuesday night following his injury 

The former Juventus star was seen leaving Old Trafford on crutches on Tuesday night, after being forced off with his first-half injury.

His replacement, Marouane Fellaini, headed home United's opener soon after being introduced. 

It is the second hamstring problem 24-year-old Pogba has suffered in six months. He also departed early against Rostov during the Europa League knockout clash in March. 

Pogba returned from that strain earlier than expected, back after three weeks, but it remains to be seen how severe this latest issue is. 

Speaking on BT Sport shortly after Pogba was taken off, Steven Gerrard said: 'It certainly looks like a hamstring. 

Juan Mata speaks with Pogba on the ground in wet conditions at Old Trafford in the first half

Romelu Lukaku consoled his team-mate as he trudged off the pitch after just 19 minutes

Pogba holds the back on his left hamstring after appearing to overstretch in a challenge

The former Juventus midfielder was replaced by Marouane Fellaini, who scored the opener

'Me and Frank [Lampard] were talking off-camera and when you get a moment like that it'll be at least three weeks [out injured]. You get a bit of tightness in your hamstring and you're usually back within a week but worrying for United fans this could be as this could be a three-weeker or maybe more.'

Meanwhile, Lampard added: 'It's the sort of injury you don't mind getting early in the season but if you're going to get them he got one at the important stage last year. 

'But at this stage they've got a strong squad and Fellaini's come in and done well there. It might take three or four weeks but eventually he'll be back and firing.'

Jose Mourinho's side are in the midst of a hectic schedule, with five games to play in the next 17 days before October's international break. 

The run includes Premier League matches against Wayne Rooney's Everton, Southampton and Crystal Palace, plus a Champions League trip to CSKA Moscow. 

Mourinho had planned to rest Pogba for the League Cup game with Burton Albion next Wednesday but this injury could leave Mourinho short on creativity in midfield, with Fellaini, club captain Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera — absent from the squad altogether last night — the options to deputise alongside Nemanja Matic.