Ralf Rangnick: 'Paul Pogba is in my plans despite contract issue'

Manchester United interim head coach Ralf Rangnick has insisted that Paul Pogba is in his plans for the second half of the season despite the midfielder's contract situation at Old Trafford.

The France international's current deal with the Red Devils is due to expire at the end of June, and it appears increasingly unlikely that he will be signing an extension with the club.

Pogba is now back in training after recovering from a thigh injury and is in line to make his return to the first team against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup at the start of February.

Rangnick claimed that the World Cup winner was "extraordinary" during Monday's training session, and the German has vowed to play the 28-year-old even if he wants to leave.

"Even if it's for only showing up for a new contract elsewhere, I mean, he will be highly motivated to do that. Why should I then not play him?" Rangnick told reporters.

"By the way, my contract as a manager is also expiring in the summer. So we have the same goal, we have the same ambition to be as successful as we can possibly be in the next three or four months.

"For me, it's not a question if a player has an expiring contract. The question is how much does he still want to be a part of this group? How much does he still feel emotionally and physically on board?"

Pogba has provided seven assists in 13 appearances for Man United this season but has not played for the club since the start of November due to the problem that he picked up on international duty.