Manchester United v Middlesbrough teams announced: Pogba & Henderson start

Paul Pogba starts for Manchester United for the first time in three months, in Friday’s FA Cup fixture against Middlesbrough.

The Frenchman last played for the club on 2 November and has missed the intervening period with a hamstring injury.

Pogba is one of five changes to the team that beat West Ham United 1-0 13 days ago, with Ralf Rangnick naming a strong line-up.

Also starting for the Red Devils are Dean Henderson, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.

Ahead of Henderson between the sticks, it’s a back four of Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw.

Pogba is set to play in midfield along with Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes, while it’s a front three of Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rashford, with Anthony Elanga dropping to the bench.

Youngster Hannibal is also among the substitutes for United, as are Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Fred.

Meanwhile, for Middlesbrough, former United man Paddy McNair is starting as part of a back three.

The visitors are flying high in the Championship and have won eight of the last 10 in all competitions.

Friday’s meeting is the first time the sides have met since 2017 and they haven’t played against each other in the FA Cup since 2007.

Teams in full

Manchester United: Henderson; Dalot, Maguire, Varane, Shaw; McTominay, Fernandes, Pogba; Sancho, Ronaldo, Rashford.

Substitutes: Grant, Heaton, Jones, Wan-Bissaka, Fred, Matic, Mata, Hannibal, Mata, Elanga.

Middlesbrough: Lumley; Dijksteel, Fry, McNair; Jones, Crooks, Howson, Tavernier, Taylor; Sporar, Balogun.

Substitutes: Daniels, Hall, Payero, Peltier, Wood, Watmore, Bamba, Connolly, Coburn