Man Utd lineup vs Arsenal: Jose Mourinho drops Paul Pogba from the starting XI against Arsenal.
Manchester United will play Arsenal at Old Trafford tonight. The side is currently 8th in the Premier League and could risk further falling down if they drop points tonight.
Arsenal are in high spirits after their win in the North London derby, as the side came from behind to register an emphatic win at the Emirates Stadium. Aubameyang scored a brace and Torreira scored his first goal since joining the club this summer, as Arsenal defeated Pochettino’s side 4-2.
Manchester United, meanwhile, were held to a 2-2 draw at Southampton. Paul Pogba was significantly bad for United, and he was eventually dropped for the game against Arsenal.
Pogba is on the bench for the game, as Ander Herrera takes his place in the XI. Marcos Rojo makes his first start of the season, while Eric Bailly also returns to action after long absence, following a slump in form.
Romelu Lukaku has also been dropped after an inconsistent performance against Southampton, even when he scored the goal in the first half. Marcus Rashford is expected to lead the line.
Diogo Dalot also makes his first start for Manchester United in the league, and Chris Smalling returns to the XI after missing the game against Southamtpon due to injury.
However, the fans on Twitter were surprised by the decision to drop Pogba, and persisting with Nemanja Matic, who has had a few frustrating games himself.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to United’s XI:
50M Fred doesn’t make the bench but McTominay and Fellaini do,interesting
— Dan Mwaigah (@Dm57official) December 5, 2018
BAILLY AND DALOT ??? OMFGG WE EATING GOOD TONIGHT
— H E S S A ツ (@DeadlyDeGea) December 5, 2018
When you see Eric Bailly and Anthony Martial starting but then you see Paul Pogba on the bench. pic.twitter.com/44WVUtRBQz
— Ryan. 🔴 (@Vintage_Utd) December 5, 2018
Pogba and Lukaku on the bench, are you kidding me? £164m worth 🤮😭
Who’s the virus??
— Josh (@ManUnitedMedia) December 5, 2018
Delighted to see lukaku fit again after that career ending first touch last week.🤦🏼♂️#MUFC
— Robbie Maguire 🇮🇪 🇾🇪 (@MaguireRobbie) December 5, 2018
The same people that wanted Pogba out of the club last week seem offended he isn’t starting tonight 🤔
— We will never die (@martydelove) December 5, 2018
Objectively speaking Pogba deserved that… Was absolutely pathetic last game..
— Murali Mohan S (@Shhy10) December 5, 2018
Relatively happy with that team, still don’t understand how Pogba gets benched but Matic keeps his place, unreal. #MUFC
— Paul Murray (@Murray_P96) December 5, 2018
OK Mourinho has stirred the pot big time! Pogba dropped, Dalot Rojo Darmian & Bailly all in, looks like he’s had enough & is clearly giving players a chance, why not what have got to loose! #MUNARS #mufc pic.twitter.com/XMYc9GOmbM
— Red Army! (@RedorDead07) December 5, 2018
I would be totally fine with Pogba getting dropped if the same logic to applied to his favorite as well !
— Sadikshya (@Sadikshya_) December 5, 2018
If Pogba can continuously be dropped to be made an example of, the inclusion of Nemanja Matic yet again is unexplainable. He has shown that he can play terribly for a long spell and get away with it. It’s ridiculous at this point.
— The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) December 5, 2018
