Mourinho: We Can Still Play Without Pogba

Jose Mourinho believes the qualities of United's other midfielders can shine through as the Reds head into today's Manchester derby without the suspended Paul Pogba.

Following his red card in last weekend's win at Arsenal, the influential Frenchman will start a three-match domestic ban when cross-city rivals Manchester City make the short trip to Old Trafford for this afternoon's crucial top-of-the-table clash.

During his pre-match press conference on Friday, the United boss admitted there's nobody else like Pogba in his squad, referencing the Frenchman's excellent assist when he used his strength to shrug off compatriot Laurent Koscielny and crossed for Jesse Lingard to convert the clinching third goal against Arsenal.

But Mourinho feels his other midfield players possess different characteristics which can help to ensure Pogba’s absence isn’t keenly felt in this weekend’s big game.

When asked if his approach to matches when Pogba is unavailable is pessimistic, the boss said: “No, it’s not pessimistic. It’s just a different way to play football. Do you think I have in my team a midfield player that can make the third goal at Arsenal [which Pogba set up]? We don’t have.

“They [the other midfielders] do other things and have other qualities. [Marouane] Fellaini can score an amazing header, [Nemanja] Matic can shoot from outside the box and [Ander] Herrera can do other good things.

“But a midfield player to do and create what he [Pogba] did in the third goal [against Arsenal], as an example, we don’t have. So, it’s not being pessimistic, it’s just to play a different way.”

The Reds will be looking to secure a fifth successive win in all competitions and cut the gap to Premier League leaders City to five points with victory in the 175th Manchester derby.