This article is part of Football FanCast's Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba's haircuts to League Two relegation battles...

After all the drama in the summer, Manchester United still have Paul Pogba on their books. The France World Cup winner made a whole song and dance about wanting to experience a "new challenge", and it looked like it was the beginning of the end for his career at Old Trafford. But deadline day passed, and the midfielder remained put.

Fast forward a couple of months, and the 26-year-old has been out of action for large parts of this current campaign with an injury. The cynics may believe his delayed return has something to do with potentially forcing through an exit in the January transfer window - certainly some United fans felt he was "mentally out of Manchester".

But, ESPN now report that Pogba is closing in on his comeback from injury, and "could now be back in time for the Manchester derby against City at the Etihad Stadium on December 7". To fans of the Frenchman - and supporters of United too - their arch-rivals' ground was the home of one of the midfielder's greatest performances in a Red Devils shirt.

After a truly terrible first-half performance from United saw them go 2-0 down at the break, the Red Devils bounced back courtesy of what many would have expected Pogba would be doing on regular occasions - leading the team. The former Juventus star scored a quick-fire brace - his second being a header after a barn-storming run from midfield - and it eventually led to Chris Smalling hitting the winner.

Speaking after the game, Ander Herrera exclaimed the £290k-a-week man could become one of the best players in the world on the basis of his midfield masterclass.

"Paul can be the best in the world. I’ve already told him that he can be the best in the world. This can be the first step to achieve that because he’s fantastic and I think he needed a day like this. As well as the two goals, I thought he played fantastic. He always wants the ball and he never hides, so that’s fantastic."

Well, with his injury, Pogba has been hiding. But if he can make his return against City at the Etihad - the home of what is still his greatest display in United colours - he could yet inspire another great Red Devils triumph. Whilst his long-term future may still be in question, it could reinvigorate the midfielder to produce more consistent displays for his side until he does make his long-awaited departure.