Paul Pogba and Tanguy Ndombele withdrawn from France’s Nations League squad after testing positive for Covid-19

Paul Pogba is the most high-profile footballer to have contracted coronavirus after it emerged on Thursday that he has tested positive.

The Manchester United midfiedler had been named in Didier Deschamps’ France squad for next month’s Nations League with Sweden and Croatia.

The same fate befell Tottenham’s Tanguy Ndombele who was also included in the French party but tested positive on arrival at their training camp.

Speaking about Pogba, who last played for his country in June 2019 due to injuries, Deschamps said: ‘I’ve completed at the very last minute a change in the list, because Paul Pogba, who was previously on the list, unfortunately for him he carried out a test yesterday which was returned as positive this morning.

‘So at the last moment he had to be replaced by Eduardo Camavinga.’

The 17-year-old Rennes midfielder comes in for Pogba, whose illness is set to rule him out of the start of United’s pre-season preparations given training resumes on September 2.

The 17-year-old Rennes midfielder comes in for Pogba, whose illness is set to rule him out of the start of United’s pre-season preparations given training resumes on September 2.

A United statement said: ‘Pogba has been replaced in the squad after testing positive for Covid-19.

‘The midfielder will be unable to add to his 69 caps and 10 goals for his country in the games next month.

‘Everybody at United wishes Paul a speedy recovery ahead of the new season.’