EAMON DUNPHY SAYS the loss of Paul Pogba for Manchester United for Saturday’s derby against Manchester City is not a game-changer because the midfielder is ‘over-hyped.’
United today confirmed they would not be appealing the red card Pogba was shown during last weekend’s victory over Arsenal, meaning he will be unavailable for the derby at Old Trafford.
Dunphy described Pogba’s challenge on Hector Bellerin as ‘stupid’ rather than vicious, before adding that he doesn’t believe the French international is ‘that good.’
“It’s not a game-changer,” he said on RTÉ’s Game On. “I don’t think Pogba is that good. There are a lot of guys in England hyping him up.
“He’s okay, but he’s always on the edge of the game. He’s not somebody who brings a lot of influence to bear on the game.
“He made a goal at the weekend, but for £90 million, you are expecting a lot more over the 90 minutes, a lot more intensity.”
He then added: ”He’s not a world class player, he’s not a make-the-difference player.
“He looks like he hasn’t a care in the world. I’d say he is a smashing lad to be going out on a night out, or living next door to, but does he win matches?
“I think he’s a guy who is probably best playing out wide, like he was played at Juventus, making the odd intervention. He’s not a world class player, he’s not a make-the-difference player.”
Pogba is expected to feature tomorrow night when United host CSKA Moscow in the Champions League needing a point to officially secure top spot in their group.
The 24-year-old will be suspended for three Premier League fixtures: against City on Sunday, the home game with Bournemouth on 13 December and the trip to West Brom on 17 December.
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