Pogba will miss the Manchester derby (Picture: AFP/Getty)
Pogba will miss the Manchester derby (Picture: AFP/Getty)

Jose Mourinho believes Paul Pogba has qualities that are irreplaceable as he looks to prepare for the Manchester derby on Sunday.

The Manchester United boss will be without the France international for the crunch title clash against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, with Mourinho hoping to reduce the eight-point deficit at the top of the Premier League in his absence.

Pogba was sent off for a challenge on Hector Bellerin against Arsenal last weekend and Mourinho admitted he will have serious trouble replacing what Pogba brings to the team.

With Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic among those available to feature in the middle of the park, Mourinho is adamant he still has the quality to win the match, but conceded that Pogba’s ability to create a goal out of nowhere is tough to replace.

‘We have lost a very important player, one with an impact in the way we play and that is obvious,’ Mourinho said.

‘This season, there was a Manchester United with Paul and there was a Manchester United without Paul. He impacts our style. For the next three matches we have to cope without Paul and try to win without him.

‘It’s not pessimistic. It’s just a different way to play football.

Mourinho will be without Pogba (Picture: AMA/Getty)

‘Do you think I have in my team a midfield player who can make the third goal at Arsenal? We don’t.

‘They have other qualities. Fellaini can score an amazing header. Matic can shoot from outside the box.

‘Herrera can do other good things, but a midfield player to do and create what Pogba did in the third goal against Arsenal, we don’t have.’