Paul Pogba drop from France squad for Nations League after testing positive for coronavirus
Manchester United star Paul Pogba has been left out of France’s squad for their upcoming Nations League matches next month.
This comes after the star midfielder testing positive for coronavirus while his national team-mate Tanguy Ndombele has also sidelined due to the virus with a 14-day self-isolating.
The news was confirmed by France head coach Didier Deschamps as he announced the squad for the games.
France are scheduled to play Sweden in Solna on 5 September and Croatia in Paris on 8 September.
Pogba was due to be called up but has been replaced by 17-year-old Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga.
Deschamps told a news conference: “I’ve completed at the very last minute a change in the list, because Paul Pogba, who was previously on the list, unfortunately for him he carried out a test yesterday which was returned as positive this morning.
“So at the last moment he had to be replaced by Eduardo Camavinga.”
It also means Pogba will miss the start of the United’s pre-season preparations next week.
Along with the rest of the club’s squad, he had been given two weeks off – ahead of the club’s next competitive fixture on 19 September, when they are due to open their 2020/21 Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace.
He will now have to go into quarantine for a fortnight. Manchester United said in a statement: “Pogba has been replaced in the squad after testing positive for COVID-19.
“The midfielder will be unable to add to his 69 caps and 10 goals for his country in the games next month.
“Everybody at United wishes Paul a speedy recovery ahead of the new season.”
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