Paul Pogba to miss Manchester City clash after Manchester United choose not to appeal Arsenal red card

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James Benge4 December 2017

Paul Pogba will miss the Manchester derby after his club chose not to appeal against his three-game ban for a red card at Arsenal.

The French midfielder was handed a straight red in the 74th minute of United’s 3-1 win at the Emirates after raking his studs along the back of Hector Bellerin’s knee.

Pogba’s absence will be a cruel blow for United ahead of a game at home to Manchester City they likely cannot afford to lose if they want to retain a realistic hope of challenging their crosstown rivals, who are eight points clear at the top of the table.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League tie with CSKA Moscow United boss Jose Mourinho confirmed that Pogba would play but was at the time more circumspect over whether the club would appeal against the ban.

“He is very happy to play tomorrow,” said Mourinho. “It is the match that matters.

“Of course he is a bit tired because it was a huge match last weekend and just two days to recover.

“He is very happy to play tomorrow and try to keep this momentum - since he was back from injury he has been phenomenal.”

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