Paul Pogba OUT of Manchester City clash after seeing red for stamp on Hector Bellerin in Arsenal victory

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Paul Pogba will miss next Sunday’s Manchester derby after he was sent off for a horror challenge in United’s 3-1 win at Arsenal on Saturday night.

Pogba was shown the red card for an X-rated stamp in the second half on Hector Bellerin.

The Frenchman’s exit came just minutes after he had set up Jesse Lingard for his second goal and United’s third as Jose Mourinho’s men cut City’s lead at the top to five points. But Pogba’s moment of madness means he will now miss the showdown with City.

Paul Pogba is all smiles after Arsenal victory despite being sent off for a stamp

Pogba's stamp on Hector Bellerin saw him dismissed with little over 15 minutes to play

Goals from Antonio Valencia and Lingard, two of which were assisted by Pogba, set United on their way, with the latter looking to have put the result beyond all doubt after his second cancelled out Alexandre Lacazette's strike early in the second half.

'I don't know,' Mourinho said in response to the decision. But while the United boss offered little opinion, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand claimed it was an unnecessary move by the midfielder. 

Pogba (left) will miss next Sunday's Manchester derby after being sent off against Arsenal

'I think he got emotional, he lost his head,' Lampard said on BT Sport. 'There was no need to make that tackle at that point in the game.' 

Pogba's lapse in judgement left his United team-mates with their backs against the wall ahead of the incoming Arsenal assault.

But to his relief, his team-mates held off the bombardment from Arsene Wenger's side - which saw them register a staggering 33 shots to United's eight - as they closed the gap on City.

Ferdinand added: 'He was clapping his hands - almost in disbelief - afterwards but after watches that, he will realise he forced the referee into that decision.' 

He assisted two of United's three goals before being shown the red card late on

And as he left the pitch sarcastically applauding the referee's decision, the consequences of his actions could be only too critical to United's title ambitions.

United welcome their bitter rivals to Old Trafford five points adrift, having played a game more, and will now be without their record signing for that clash, as well as the following two against Bournemouth and West Brom at a minimum. 

And defeat against Pep Guardiola's rampant City, should they take three points away from Southampton at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, would see Mourinho's side fall 11 points behind their city rivals.

The Frenchman applauded his way of the pitch as prepares for the incoming suspension