Manchester United

Manchester United 'will not appeal Paul Pogba red card'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 04 December 2017

Jose Mourinho hails the ability of "phenomenal" Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, who he is now expected to be without for three league matches.

Manchester United will be without influential midfield man Paul Pogba for next weekend's derby clash with Manchester City, as the Red Devils have reportedly decided against appealing his three-match ban.

The 24-year-old will also miss the upcoming Premier League games against Bournemouth and West Bromwich Albion because of his dismissal away to Arsenal on Saturday evening.

Pogba stamped on Hector Bellerin and was shown a straight red by referee Andre Marriner, but United felt that they perhaps had grounds to appeal the ban.

However, the deadline has now passed and the Daily Mail claims that no contact was made between Jose Mourinho's side and the Football Association, as United risked losing the Frenchman for an additional game if their plea was deemed to be frivolous.

Mourinho confirmed that Pogba will start against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday night, and he admits that losing the club-record signing is a big blow for his side's league aspirations.

"He is not suspended for the Champions League so he plays tomorrow," the Portuguese told reporters. "He is very happy to play tomorrow. It is the next match so it is the match that matters.

"Of course he is a bit tired because it was a huge match last weekend and he has just two days to recover for CSKA but he is very happy to play tomorrow and try to keep his momentum. Since he came back from injury he has been phenomenal."

Should Pogba's suspension be upheld, he will have missed 10 of his side's opening 18 league games this term.