Jesse Lingard has admitted losing Paul Pogba is a ‘blow’ to Manchester United as they prepare for three crucial games without the midfielder.
Pogba saw red in United’s 3-1 win against Arsenal on Saturday when Andre Marriner spotted a stamp on Hector Bellerin.
A straight red card means Pogba will miss United’s next three domestic games including the visit of Manchester City to Old Trafford next Sunday.
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Lingard, who scored twice against Arsenal, knows Pogba’s influence will be missed, but urged his team-mates to step up in his absence.
‘It’s a blow but the team have the players to adapt to that,’ Lingard said.
Games Pogba will miss
Manchester City (H)
Bournemouth (H)
West Brom (A)
‘Everyone’s got to work hard to get in the starting eleven.’
Lingard scored for the second game in a row as he restored United’s two-goal advantage against Arsenal on Saturday.
The speedy attacker also put United out of sight against Watford mid-week just when the Hornets were mounting a comeback.
Arsenal too were putting a fightback together when Lingard tapped home after some superb work from Pogba.
And Lingard praised his team-mates for holding off an Arsenal side that had 33 shots on goal.
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‘It was a great win. I thought the lads dug deep, especially in the first half when we were under pressure,’ said 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.’
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