Former Liverpool captain Graeme Souness believes it is a bonus for Manchester United that Paul Pogba will be suspended for the derby against Manchester City.

Writing in The Times , The Sky Sports pundit questioned Pogba's discipline for a central midfield role in a Jose Mourinho side, in what was his second attack on the 24-year-old in a week.

"I believe that it is a bonus that Paul Pogba is suspended because he is the most undisciplined midfielder they have," he wrote.

Pogba was sent off against Arsenal for this lunge on Hector Bellerin (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

"Without Pogba, United conceded three goals in seven league games, despite playing Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham. With him, they have conceded six in eight games.

"Against the big teams you need your central midfielders to protect their defence and he’s all over the place positionally."

Souness also slammed Pogba when working as a pundit on TV3 during Manchester United's Champions League game against CSKA Moscow in midweek.

Sounness is a former player and manager of Liverpool (
Image:
Daily Record)

“When he is on the ball, there’s lots of things to admire," he said. "He’s powerful, he’s got good technique, he can wrong foot people, he can ping the ball.

"Where I question him, whether he'll ever be a top player, is his understanding of the game.

"This isn’t me being an ex-Liverpool player caning a Man United player. I thought the same when he was a Juventus player.

Pogba has scored three goals and provided six assists during an injury-hit season (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)
Mourinho will be without the Frenchman on Sunday (
Image:
AFP)

"That is basic stuff you learn in the youth team. He's 24 years old if he's not got it now when is he gonna get it?

"He hasn't taken a big game by the scruff of the neck and dominated it. He hasn't got a basic understanding of his position, I can't see that changing.”

Pogba has scored three goals this season, but will miss the Manchester derby as well as the next two matches against Bournemouth and West Brom following last week's red card against Arsenal.

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