Manchester United star Paul Pogba 'very disappointed' to miss derby clash against Manchester City

Pogba has backed his United teammates to beat Manchester City without him.

Paul Pogba claims he is "disappointed" to miss Manchester United's derby clash against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday, 10 December.

The France international will miss three domestic matches following his straight red card in United's 3-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates on 2 December. The ban is not applicable for Champions League fixtures, which allowed him to feature in United's 2-1 win over CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, 5 December.

Earlier, Jose Mourinho was without his key player for the trip to Liverpool and Chelsea as the ex-Juventus midfielder was recovering from a hamstring injury at the time. The Portuguese tactician will once again be without Pogba against a top club in the much-anticipated derby clash on Sunday.

"I'm very disappointed because I really want to help the team and wanted to be there for this derby because, obviously, we are playing City and in this moment we need points and we need to win. It's an important moment, an important game so, like I say, disappointed," Pogba said, as quoted by ESPN.

"I have complete trust in the team. Even if I am not there, I will be there watching the game, giving positive energy and, hopefully, we are going to win."

United are second in the table with 35 points after 15 games, eight points behind leaders City. Pep Guardiola's side are unbeaten in the Premier League so far this term, but Pogba believes the Old Trafford club can still catch the Citizens in the title race.

"It's a big derby and the atmosphere is going to be big. We want to win, we need to win as well," the Frenchman said.

"They need to win because they know that we are behind and we are closing and closing. Manchester City against Manchester United has always been a big, big derby. One city, two clubs. You know how it is, so I won't tell you what is going to happen.

"It's going to be a big atmosphere in the stadium and a big game with a big team and big players, so that's the game you want to play. Unfortunately, I won't play but I will be there to help the team mentally.

"We are still eight points [behind], so with eight points we cannot win the league. We are still behind. But if I don't believe [we could catch City], I should stop playing football now."