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Paul Pogba could be out of action for the rest of the year after sustaining a thigh injury on international duty with France.

Sportsmail understands the Manchester United midfielder will be out for between six and eight weeks, delivering another hammer blow to under-pressure manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Pogba still has one game of a three-match domestic suspension to serve following his red card against Liverpool last month, so he would have been unavailable for the trip to Watford after the international break anyway.

Paul Pogba has withdrawn from France duty after picking up a thigh injury during training 

He suffered the injury during an one-on-one shooting drill at their Clairefontaine training base

However, as soon as he took the shot, Pogba immediately pulled up lame with a muscle issue

France manager Didier Deschamps (right) went over to check on the stricken midfielder

Pogba was unable to continue the session and had to be assisted off the pitch by a coach

But the 28-year-old could miss a further 11 games if the injury keeps him sidelined through a busy Christmas fixture programme and into the New Year.

Pogba damaged a muscle in his right thigh attempting a shot in training on Monday night and was forced to withdraw from the squad for France’s World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Finland.

A statement from the French Football Federation said: ‘Paul Pogba has suffered an injury to the quadriceps of the right thigh and is forced to miss the next two matches. To replace him, Didier Deschamps called on Jordan Veretout.’

Reports in France say Pogba will be out for eight to ten weeks in a blow to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

France confirmed that Pogba has been withdrawn and Jordan Veretout has replaced him 

United later confirmed: ‘Paul Pogba has been released from the French national team following a thigh muscle injury sustained in training. He will return to Manchester for treatment and further evaluation.’

Pogba’s injury is another setback for Solskjaer who is already without his French compatriot Raphael Varane for up to five weeks with the hamstring injury he suffered in last week’s Champions League draw with Atalanta in Italy.

The United boss is under intense pressure following a run of six defeats in 12 games and desperately needs his best players fit as he battles to save his job.

Last month, he was sent off for a reckless challenge on Liverpool's Naby Keita at Old Trafford

Pogba’s absence is also set to take him beyond January 1 when he will be able to formally open talks with foreign clubs over a free transfer next summer.

Sportsmail revealed last week that Pogba remains open to signing a new contract at Old Trafford even though United declined to offer him new terms in the summer of 2019 when he made a personal approach to the club.

However, the United hierarchy are said to be losing hope of striking a deal before Pogba’s contract runs out on June 30 when their £89million record signing can leave for nothing.