Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic nearing Manchester United returns, reveals Jose Mourinho
United boss Mourinho hopes that international break can help duo get up to speed to for action during Christmas period
JOSE MOURINHO says Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are closing on a return to first-team action.
The Reds have been without the duo, plus injured stars Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Marcos Rojo.
But Mourinho says they will be in a "good position" for the Christmas period, following the international break.
United midfielders Pogba (hamstring) and Carrick (calf) have been injured since September.
While long-term absentees Ibra and Rojo, who sustained knee injuries last season, are yet to recover.
Mourinho said: "We have the group of players which are the ones that we hope will recover as soon as possible.
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"They have to work every day but they are in a good position now. Pogba, Ibrahimovic, Rojo, Fellaini.
"They are in good positions so I think we can go into this part of the season, the Christmas period, and after, in a strong position."
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With nine matches to be played across all competitions in December, Mourinho says he will give the likes of Chris Smalling and Ander Herrera a week off.
He added: "They (international players) all disappear and then we have a couple... like Smalling and Herrera and they really deserve, after so many matches, to have a week off which I'm going to give them."
