Manchester United vs Manchester City: Key Talking Points

#6 Manchester United without Paul Pogba are just another top-6 team

The red card that defined the Manchester derby... when it happened last weekend

... and that's the fact that Paul Pogba was not present.

We cannot blame United, or Mourinho, for building his team around the superstar-skills of the irrepressible Frenchman, after all he is one of the few genuine world-class talents on show in the Premier League, a game-winner by his own right... but what happens when he has to take a leave of absence is that United lack the vim and vigour that he brings with himself onto the field.

Transitioning from defence to attack, sitting deep and counter-attacking, all this is made simpler when Pogba's athletic strides and immense vision (and technique) are on the pitch, while the effect he has on the overall personality of the team is almost tangible.