Paul Pogba has a mixed history when it comes to facing Newcastle United.
The Manchester United megastar was dominated and outclassed by Mo Diame and Jonjo Shelvey in February 2018. He was on the end of a pretty nasty tackle from the latter in January 2019. And he inspired a 4-1 drubbing of the Magpies in November 2017.
But the Frenchman probably won’t be at St James’ Park on Sunday.
Ahead of the Red Devils’ Europa League came on Thursday, Manchester United issued a fitness update on their players, including Pogba. According to their official website, the midfielder requires a “period of further rest and conservative treatment” after picking up a foot injury against Southampton.
Is this a boost for Newcastle? Probably, but we thought the same about Leicester’s James Maddison. It might have been more than five if he played…
But Pogba’s absence does give Newcastle a better chance to win the midfield battle. We couldn’t get close to Leicester on Sunday, with every player in black and white losing their individual battles. We need more intensity against Manchester United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a very young and inexperienced side currently. With a senior player like Pogba missing, Newcastle have a chance to really put their own stamp on the game and make it an uncomfortable afternoon for the visitors.
Of course, confidence is at an all time low for Newcastle, meaning Man United might not even need an £89 million player in Pogba to get a result at St James’ Park.
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