Paul Pogba dropped by Manchester United for Champions League decider agaisnt RB Leipzig

Pogba left out amid storm caused by agent Mino Raiola’s comments

Mark Critchley

Northern Football Correspondent

Tuesday 08 December 2020 14:09 EST

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Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba (Manchester United via Getty Images)

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Paul Pogba has been left out of Manchester United’s starting line-up for their Champions League decider away to RB Leipzig.

Pogba has been named among the substitutes by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer amid comments from his agent Mino Raiola, who said that the midfielder would not sign a new contract at Old Trafford.

Raiola revealed that United’s record signing is "unhappy", that he can "no longer express himself like he wants to" and that he desires to leave as soon as possible in an interview with Tuttosport.

Pogba played 90 minutes and scored to spark a United comeback in Saturday’s 3-1 win at West Ham but is only named among the substitutes for a crucial trip to the Red Bull Arena.

United only require a point to qualify from Group H and reach the Champions League knock-out stages but defeat will see Solskjaer’s side finish third and drop into the Europa League.

Luke Shaw returns having recovered from a hamstring injury and is expected to play in a back three, with Alex Telles deployed as a left wing-back.

David de Gea missed Saturday’s win at West Ham through a minor injury but returns to replace Dean Henderson in goal.

Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay line up in the centre of midfield with Fred suspended following his red card in the 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani miss out through minor muscle injuries having not travelled, with Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford trusted to lead the line.

Line-ups

RB Leipzig: Gulacsi, Mukiele, Konate, Orban, Angelino, Sabitzer, Haidara, Kampl, Nkunku, Olmo, Forsberg.

Substitutes: Tschauner, Martinez, Poulsen, Adams, Sorloth, Kluivert, Halstenberg, Martel, Wosz.

Manchester United: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw, Telles, Matic, McTominay, Fernandes, Greenwood, Rashford.

Substitutes: Henderson, Grant, Bailly, Fosu-Mensah, Tuanzebe, Williams, James, Lingard, Mata, Pogba, Van de Beek, Ighalo.

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