Manchester United star out of derby clash with Manchester City

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed Paul Pogba will miss Thursday’s Manchester Derby landing a further blow ahead of their crucial league fixture, reports ESPN.

Mourinho is already without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcos Rojo, Juan Mata, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones for the foreseeable future and United will now be without the world’s most expensive player for a game that could end their chances of a top four finish.

Pogba was an initial doubt for Thursday’s meeting with Manchester City after limping off in the dying embers of their 2-0 win over Burnley last weekend but has since been ruled out with one eye on their Europa League semi-final with Celta Vigo next week.

Mourinho can at least take solace from the fact Ander Herrera has recovered from an ankle injury sustained in the win away to Burnley to feature against City, while Antonio Valencia is also match fit after skipping the trip to Turf Moor.

However, Pogba’s absence will be a huge blow to a United side look to avenge the defeat to City at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture. The Red Devils are 23 games unbeaten in the Premier League but they will have to overcome City without their highest rated player (7.71 rating).

For more stats on Paul Pogba, click here to visit his WhoScored player page