Man Utd news: Paul Pogba fires Man City a huge warning ahead of derby despite red card

Paul Pogba reveals all on his sending off against Arsenal

PAUL POGBA is gutted to miss the Manchester derby - but insists United can still win it without him.

The France midfielder says there was no malice his challenge on Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin that earned him the red card and three-game ban that rules him out of Sunday’s eagerly-awaited showdown between the Premier League’s top two.

But he admits the tackle looked worse than it actually was because Bellerin didn’t stay on his feet in the challenge but stuck out his leg as Pogba over-stretched.

Speaking for the first time about the controversial incident following Manchester United’s Champions League win over CSKA Moscow, Pogba said: “I know Hector and I would never give him a tackle like this.

“Unfortunately for me I thought he would put his feet [into the tackle] and he was in a position that was a disadvantage for me.

“It looks very bad but the intention wasn't like that. The referee gave me the red card and that’s football.

Paul Pogba was sent off against Arsenal for this tackle on Hector Bellerin

REUTERS

Paul Pogba misses the Manchester derby this weekend

“I'm very disappointed to miss the derby because when you are in football you really want to play in these games.

"I really want to help the team and wanted to be there because obviously we are playing City and in this moment we need points and we need to win. It's an important moment, an important game so, like I say, I’m disappointed.

“Unfortunately for me I won't play. That's destiny. I say destiny because I cannot go back in the past. You have to think about the future, the present, obviously, and then after it's the future.”

Pogba’s absence will be a huge blow for Jose Mourinho’s team. Their form dipped when he missed two months with a torn hamstring earlier this season. Since he returned to the team they have won five out of six matches and scored 14 goals.

But Pogba believes United can still emerge triumphant from what is a 'must-win' game for them if they are to have nay hope of reeling in unbeaten City’s eight-point lead.

He added: “I have complete trust in the team. Even if I am not there, I will be there watching the game giving positive energy and hopefully we are going to win. Mentally, I need to be there to boost the team and hopefully it will help."