Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba's red card: Should he have been sent off against Arsenal or not?

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Martin Samuel: Why Pogba should not have seen red 

So where exactly was he meant to put his foot?

We all know where he did put it. We all know how it looked. Not good. And like all incidents of this kind, the slower the replay, the worse it appeared.

By the time Paul Pogba’s tackle on Hector Bellerin had received five or six re-runs, it seemed as if he had all the time in the world to plan and execute a stamp on the Arsenal man.

Paul Pogba (second left) will miss next week's Manchester derby after being sent off at Arsenal

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

Television replays clearly showed how the Frenchman 's foot came down on Bellerin's leg

Yet it wasn’t like that. In real time, Pogba is stretching to get a touch on a loose ball and Bellerin is — well, who knows what Bellerin is doing? He’s on his knees, his trailing leg extends behind him, it is not so much a tackle as a contortion. He looks like he’s trying to build the base of a gymnastic pyramid.

And it can be argued that this is irrelevant. That Pogba’s tackle was reckless no matter how Bellerin was positioned. 

That if the full back had met him straight on, Pogba’s front foot would have gone over the top of the ball and perhaps caused worse damage. But we don’t know this.

Andre Marriner did not send him off for what could have happened; he went for what did happen. And what happened seemed as much a freak accident as an attempt to hurt an opponent. It didn’t merit a straight red with the additional suspension that results. A yellow, yes. An orange, maybe, if such a thing existed. But a straight red? That seems harsh.

The Frenchman applauded his way off the pitch as he prepared for the incoming suspension

There is no chance of the call being rescinded because Marriner will be sure, experienced voices such as Graham Poll support him, too, and there is enough backing from the professional game. Alan Shearer, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Trevor Francis, were all in favour — although David Platt argued against.

The greatest pity is the effect Pogba’s absence will have on Sunday’s Manchester derby. Marriner couldn’t take that into account but it diminishes Manchester United’s chances of taking the game to Manchester City as equals.

Pogba is increasingly essential to them now, and looks the mighty influence Jose Mourinho worked so hard to secure in his first transfer window. For a combative midfielder this was Pogba’s first red card since May 5, 2013. He’s not even a dirty player, either. 

Graham Poll: Sorry, he had to go...   

The biggest call was absolutely correct as Marriner dismissed Pogba for a nasty over-the-top tackle.

I’m staggered that any experienced football watcher could suggest that the challenge should not have warranted a red card.

Remember that ‘intent’ is no longer required unless for handball. Pogba gets none of the ball and lands his studs on Bellerin’s leg, clearly endangering his safety.

Jose Mourinho and the United players wanted parity when Laurent Koscielny tangled with Romelu Lukaku just inside his own half but it was not a red as he wasn’t going directly towards goal and Bellerin was covering.

Arsene Wenger was understandably disappointed at not getting two late penalties. Danny Welbeck was clearly tripped by Matteo Darmian with Marriner having an unobstructed view. Then Alexandre Lacazette was brought down by Chris Smalling and again Marriner waved penalty appeals away.

The midfielder looks back towards referee Andre Marriner as he walks from the field