Paul Pogba Ruled Out for Manchester United vs. Huddersfield Town Due to Illness

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba did not take part in the Red Devils' FA Cup fifth-round match against Huddersfield Town on Saturday because of illness.

The club announced his absence via a statement on its official website. 

He was replaced in the squad by Scottish prospect Ethan Hamilton, who made his first trip with the senior team.

Pogba missed a portion of the season through injury between September and November, and the Red Devils struggled in his absence. The former Juventus man is widely regarded as one of the top midfielders in football, and his all-around skill set is almost impossible to replace.

The 24-year-old hasn't been in great form of late, and even if he had been healthy, there were plenty of pundits who thought he would be rested against Huddersfield.

Rob Dawson of ESPN FC believed the illness could be a blessing in disguise given what's on the horizon for United:

Pogba only featured in the recent Premier League win over the Terriers from the bench, suggesting the Red Devils should find a way past Huddersfield again without the France international—though they suffered their first Premier League defeat of the campaign at the John Smith's Stadium in October.

Manager Jose Mourinho played Nemanja Matic and starlet Scott McTominay through the centre in United's 2-0 win over Huddersfield on Feb. 3. Those two were joined in midfield by club captain Michael Carrick on Saturday.

Mourinho will be hoping Pogba is healthy soon, with fixtures against Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League and Chelsea in the Premier League to come before the month is out.