Report: Paul Pogba Set to Start on the Bench for France Friendly vs. Colombia

Paul Pogba is reportedly set to start France's friendly clash with Colombia at the Stade de France in Paris on Friday on the bench. 

According to L'Equipe (via Liam Prenderville in the Mirror), based on Thursday's training session, Les Blues coach Didier Deschamps is set to line up in a 4-4-2 formation with N'Golo Kante and Blaise Matuidi paired in central midfield without Pogba, who has trained the last two days despite "struggling with a niggle."

The report further indicated Thomas Lemar and Kylian Mbappe are likely to start on the flanks with Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud paired in attack.

Pogba, 25, has recently been enduring a spell of poor form with Manchester United that has seen him benched by manager Jose Mourinho for their last two clashes against Brighton & Hove Albion and Sevilla.

He missed United's previous game against Liverpool due to a thigh injury, but reports have suggested Mourinho has not just been being cautious with the £89 million midfielder and the pair have fallen out, per Prenderville.

There have even been claims the former Juventus man could leave Old Trafford in the summer, per La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness):

Pogba was likely hoping the break from club football would give him a chance to forget his woes at United.

But if he is on the bench against Colombia, even if it is due to a fitness concern, there will likely be questions about his starting spot for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

In Matuidi and Kante, Deschamps has two excellent central midfielders who can be alternatives to Pogba.

The French squad is packed with depth throughout:

It is little surprise Les Bleus are one of the favourites to go all the way in Russia, while many will likely back their opponents, Colombia, to go deep in the tournament as well.