Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho says Paul Pogba was very upset at France teammate and Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny for getting him sent off
Jose Mourinho revealed Paul Pogba was furious with Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny for his role in the red card that rules the Manchester United midfielder out of next weekend's summit meeting with Manchester City. Pogba was sent off in the 74th minute of United's 3-1 win at Arsenal on Saturday for a crude challenge on Hector Bellerin. Koscielny responded to the foul by approaching referee Andre Marriner and appearing to call for Pogba's dismissal.
Manchester United’s Paul Pogba (second from left) is shown the red card during their EPL match against Arsenal on Saturday. Pic/AFP
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Pogba sarcastically applauded Marriner as he headed for the tunnel and United boss Mourinho made it clear the France star wasn't happy with the decision or his international teammate's part in it. "I just know that Paul is very frustrated. He is a bit disappointed with this France colleague Koscielny, with this kind of reaction," Mourinho said. "Paul is very frustrated because everybody knows that he is a very clean player and it was not his intention at all to be close to a red card."
Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny
Besides his anger at Pogba's treatment, Mourinho was frustrated at what he saw as some of the Arsenal players were unnecessarily diving in the closing stages. Danny Welbeck and Alexandre Lacazette, appealed in vain for penalties and, with his tongue firmly in his cheek, Mourinho said: "I know the pitch is amazing and maybe breeds a desire to go to the floor. If it was hard, no; if it was mud, no - the pitch is absolutely beautiful but I think they were a bit too much.
Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho
"If it's not a penalty, it's not a penalty." Pogba's dismissal will earn him a three-match ban and his absence from the Manchester derby is a huge blow to United's hopes of closing the gap on the leaders. Regardless of that result, United will remain in the title hunt when their hated neighbours arrive at Old Trafford next weekend.
One No. of red card's Paul Pogba has received in league competition since May 2013 for Juventus against Palermo
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