French World Cup-winning midfielder Paul Pogba returned to the pitch on Saturday, playing one half for Monaco in a 5-2 friendly victory over Saint-Priest, the club's first pre-season match.

After watching his more experienced teammates from the bench in the first half, which ended with Monaco leading 2-0, Pogba played the entire second half as a defensive midfielder, captaining a young side that secured the win.

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Under the watchful eye of club president, Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, at Monaco's training center, Pogba delivered an acceptable performance, playing without a knee brace. However, he showed he has not yet regained full fitness, with the struggles that plagued him last season still evident in his physical condition.

Pogba had not played any match since May 2, when he started for the only time last season in a 2-1 win over Metz, leaving the field after 58 minutes.

Monaco's new coach, Brazilian Felipe Luis, said after the friendly, which featured 24 players: 'He is following the same training program and undergoing the same sessions as all the players.'

He added: 'I hope he can reach the same level physically, because when the ball is at his feet, he is truly a great player. Of course, we demand a lot from our midfielders, and he knows that well. He is giving his all and working hard to be in the best shape and help the team.'

Monaco's general manager, Thiago Scuro, acknowledged last week during Luis's presentation that 'the project set for Paul Pogba last season did not work, and expectations were completely different from what happened.'

Scuro added: 'We now have to treat him fairly and monitor his physical and technical development week by week, and then the decision will be up to the coach. We have the pre-season period to assess Paul's level, and our relationship with him has always been based on transparency.'

He continued: 'If the player's goals differ from the club's, we will sit down and talk, and we will find the right solution. His performance will decide things... He may leave, and he may stay.'