Pogba: We can pip City
® PAUL POGBA has backed Manchester United to stop Pep Guardiola on Sunday.
The French midfielder is suspended for the top-ofthe-table showdown at Old Trafford following his sending off in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Arsenal.
But Pogba believes his team-mates can stop Manchester City setting a record of 14 straight league wins. “I have complete trust in the team,” said Pogba.
“Even if I am not playing, I will be there watching the game giving positive energy and hopefully we are going to win.
“It’s an important moment, an important game. 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 but if I didn’t believe we could catch City, I would stop playing football now.”
Record
United are also on an impressive run, with Tuesday’s Champions League victory over CSKA Moscow equalling a club record 40 consecutive home games unbeaten.
That run dates back to when they lost the last Manchester derby at Old Trafford, in September 2016. Pogba said: “To win those games you need to give everything.
“You need to be there offensively, defensively. Kill the game when you have one chance because they are City and they have quality as well up front and they can kill the game at any time.
“They are first for good reason, because they have been doing great at the start of the season.
“They keep winning and they didn’t lose one game and obviously mentally they are very strong.”
But former United midfielder Paul Ince says City have it all to prove.
Speaking to Paddy Power News, he said: “How can you call a team the greatest ever, when at the minute they’ve won jack s**t? You just can’t.
“For people to say that is just absurd.
“I’m sick of seeing people suggest this team are better than Manchester United’s ’99 team, not to mention their ’92/93 or ’94/95 sides.
“Then there’s also the Arsenal Invincibles team. City’s team do not come close to any of those.”