Manchester United ace Paul Pogba 'very lucky' not to have been sent off again on return against Bristol City, claims club icon Phil Neville

  • Paul Pogba made his Manchester United comeback against Bristol City
  • The Frenchman had been serving suspension following a recent red card
  • In the first half Pogba made a lunge of a tackle on Bristol's Marlon Pack
  • Referee Mike Dean opted not to award a card and allow play to continue

Paul Pogba was 'very lucky' not to be immediately hit with another red card on his Manchester United comeback from suspension, claims former Red Devils icon Phil Neville.

Pogba was thrown back into the United starting XI as Jose Mourinho shuffled his pack for the away trip to Ashton Gate to face Bristol City in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

It was the Frenchman's first game since being condemned to the sidelines after picking up a straight red at the Emirates following a nasty challenge on Hector Bellerin.

Paul Pogba was involved in a first-half collision with his Bristol City counterpart Marlon Pack

Paul Pogba was involved in a first-half collision with his Bristol City counterpart Marlon Pack

Pogba committed for the ball but ended up catching the player high up on the leg

Pogba committed for the ball but ended up catching the player high up on the leg

The Frenchman wrapped himself around Pack as appeals went up for a free-kick

The Frenchman wrapped himself around Pack as appeals went up for a free-kick

Pogba didn't win the ball though referee Mike Dean saw no need to issue a card

Pogba didn't win the ball though referee Mike Dean saw no need to issue a card

And history looked like it could immediately repeat itself for Pogba, who quickly became embroiled in a midfield battle with his Bristol counterpart Marlon Pack.


The 26-year-old made sure to close Pogba down at every opportunity in the opening stages, as the home side looked to stifle United's creativity. 

As a result a loose ball saw Pogba lunge to regain possession, missing the ball and catching Pack high up the leg.

Immediately the stadium cried for a decision, though referee Mike Dean quickly waved away any appeals.

Sitting in the Sky Sports studio however, Neville was of the opinion Pogba was very fortunate.

Speaking in the Sky Sports studio at half-time Phil Neville admitted Pogba was 'very lucky'

Speaking in the Sky Sports studio at half-time Phil Neville admitted Pogba was 'very lucky'

The midfielder has only just returned to action after a recent sending off at the Emirates

The midfielder has only just returned to action after a recent sending off at the Emirates

Pogba's nasty challenge on Hector Bellerin was deemed to be worthy of a straight red card

Pogba's nasty challenge on Hector Bellerin was deemed to be worthy of a straight red card

'He got sent off for tackle like this on Bellerin,' Neville began.

'He’s got away with that there, because he’s not connected with the leg of Pack, he has slid across the thigh. 

'If he’d connected with studs that'd be a red card and another three-game suspension so he's really lucky,' Neville added.