Mourinho explains Pogba's absence from Manchester derby

A knock picked up against Juventus has sidelined the midfielder, while Alexis Sanchez could yet see game time off the bench

Jose Mourinho has explained that an injury has kept Paul Pogba out of Manchester United's must-win derby against Manchester City on Sunday.

The United boss sprung a surprise by leaving the France international out of his squad at the Etihad Stadium.

Nemanja Matic, Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera instead get the nod in midfield, as United look to close the gap on the Champions League places with victory against their arch-rivals.

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But according to Mourinho, who has been accused of having a frosty relationship with Pogba, the decision to leave him on the sidelines owes to physical reasons.