No Pogba, no problem - Lingard confident Man Utd can cover derby ban

Manchester United will be without Paul Pogba for a derby date with City following his red card at Arsenal, but Jesse Lingard is confident they can cover his absence.

The French midfielder was dismissed during a thrilling 3-1 victory over the Gunners at Emirates Stadium for a lunging challenge on Hector Bellerin.

That moment of madness means he will be forced to sit out a home date with Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders, leaving United without an £89 million talent once again – following a recent 12-game absence through injury.

Lingard, though, believes that Jose Mourinho boasts the depth in his squad to handle the loss of one player, even if that player will be a big miss in a crunch clash.

Fresh from netting twice in a vital win over Arsenal, the England international forward told BBC Sport on Pogba’s upcoming suspension: “It’s a blow but the team have the players to adapt to that. Everyone’s got to work hard to get in the starting XI.”

While Pogba’s red card in north London did not prove costly, it was the heroics of David de Gea which allowed United to collect all three points.

The Spaniard was in inspired form against the Gunners, equalling the Premier League record for most saves in a game, and has earned plenty of praise on the back of another talismanic display.

Laurence Griffiths

Lingard is among those to have paid tribute to the 27-year-old, with one of the most consistent performers in the business now considered to also be one of the best.

“It was a great win. I thought the lads dug deep, especially in the first half when we were under pressure,” added Lingard.

"In the second half we had to regroup and reorganise.

"David de Gea kept us in it and he’s one of the best keepers in world. It’s great to have stable person behind us to keep that play up."

Before welcoming City to Old Trafford, United have a midweek Champions League fixture to contend with.

CSKA Moscow are set to visit Manchester on Tuesday, with Mourinho’s men – who will still have Pogba at their disposal in Europe – looking to book their passage to the last-16 as winners of Group A.