Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 5y

Paul Pogba on Manchester United bench for clash at Liverpool

Paul Pogba was named among the Manchester United substitutes for their Premier League trip to face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

The France international was on the bench for the third successive league game by manager Jose Mourinho after failing to impress during the 2-1 defeat to Valencia on Wednesday.

Mourinho was boosted by the return of Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian and Diogo Dalot. All four missed the Champions League loss in Spain because of injury but were deemed fit enough to start at Anfield.

Lindelof has missed the last five games with a thigh injury. David De Gea, Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera were rested in midweek and have all returned to the team.

"I have made many decisions to start with 11 players and leave other on the bench," Mourinho told Sky Sports before the match.

"I always try to achieve what's best for the team. With Herrera, Matic and Lingard [in midfield] we lose some qualities but we gain aggression and simplicity - that's what we need to play against a fast team like Liverpool."

Meanwhile, Nathaniel Clyne was named in a Liverpool starting XI in the Premier League for the first time since May, due to injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez at right-back.

Fabinho and Naby Keita were both named in midfield in what is their first encounter with United as Liverpool players.

James Milner was not part of Liverpool's matchday squad as a precautionary measure due to a muscle issue.

^ Back to Top ^