Not many people expected Paul Pogba to start Manchester United’s opening game of the season against Bournemouth.
Having spent his summer in what seemed like every single one of America’s states, it was unlikely that the Frenchman would have been able to get himself in shape in time for the big kick off. Perhaps an appearance from the bench was more likely.
But any faint hopes of seeing Pogba make his debut for United (again) on the south coast have been extinguished by way of a tweet from the FA.
With the #PLkickoff this weekend, did you know four players are serving suspensions?
More: https://t.co/WdgvxQNcmZ pic.twitter.com/L9YIZ6P8HT
— England Football (@EnglandFootball) August 12, 2016
Did we know? No we did not, FA. And by the looks of things, neither did most people in the country.
Why is Pogba suspended?
— Isaac Chenery (@ichenery) August 12, 2016
from previous spell at Utd I assume?
— Daniel Lane (@danielawlane) August 12, 2016
@skysports_bryan why is Pogba suspended?
— Andy (@LetsTalk_FPL) August 12, 2016
As Manchester United fans the world over collectively scratched their heads, a reply from the FA clarified things.
Apparently, because Pogba picked up two booking in last season’s Coppa Italia, this amounts to a one game a ban. As the FA point out, the fact that this happened in Italy doesn’t matter and the suspension follows Pogba to England.
He was booked twice in last season's Coppa Italia, which results in a one-game ban. This has been transferred to England.
— England Football (@EnglandFootball) August 12, 2016
So Manchester United fans will have to wait a little longer for the return on their very expensive former youth player, with the home match against Southampton likely to be his comeback… unless there are any other suspensions we don’t know about.
