By Canadian Press

Pogba banned for United’s 1st game of Premier League season

Aug 12, 2016 | 5:30 AM

MANCHESTER, England — World-record signing Paul Pogba will not be available for Manchester United’s first game of the Premier League season as he is serving a ban carried over from his time at Juventus.

And it has taken United manager Jose Mourinho by surprise.

England’s Football Association said Friday that Pogba collected a one-match ban after being booked twice in the Coppa Italia at the end of last season. The suspension has been transferred to England.

The France midfielder, signed for $116 million this week, must sit out United’s away match against Bournemouth on Sunday.

Mourinho said he only received the information on Wednesday — a day after Pogba completed his protracted transfer.

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“I knew the situation with the yellow cards,” Mourinho said, “but I didn’t know at that time if an accumulation of yellow cards (in Italy) would bring a player suspension (in England).

“I didn’t know if a suspension from Italian football would be for the corresponding competition in England, which would be the first FA Cup match. I didn’t know so I was waiting for the decision.”

Pogba’s first game in his second spell at United could be a home match against Southampton on Aug. 19.

Mourinho appeared not to be bothered.

“I don’t speak about suspended players or injured players, I speak only about the ones that are ready to play,” Mourinho said. “So I forget Paul for a few days.”

The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

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Pogba banned for United’s 1st game of Premier League season

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