Man Utd Team News: Mourinho Confirms Key Duo Will Miss Bournemouth Clash

The 2016/17 Premier League campaign kicks-off this weekend and Manchester United begin the new season with a tricky trip away to Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon.

Ahead of the game, Jose Mourinho has been speaking to the media at his press conference this afternoon and he’s given reporters a team news and injury update.

Unfortunately, the United boss confirmed the news that broke earlier today, that Paul Pogba’s debut for the club has been delayed after he was hit with a one-match suspension.

The French international completed his world record move to Old Trafford on Tuesday and fans were desperate to see him pull on the United shirt once again against Bournemouth this weekend.

However, Mourinho has confirmed that the midfielder won’t be available after he picked up two yellow cards while playing in the Coppa Italia with former club Juventus and the one-match ban has been transferred to England.

Football Association ruled stipulate that any player currently serving a suspension in another country will have that ban carried over to the Premier League, so Pogba is going to have to wait to make his long-awaited return for United.

Mourinho told ManUtd.com that he will now ‘forget’ about Pogba until next week when the club will start preparing for next weekend’s game against Southampton.

“I don’t speak about him [Pogba]. He is suspended and I don’t speak about suspended players or injured players. I speak about the ones who are ready to play, so I forget Paul for a few days. By Tuesday he will be ready to play against Southampton.

“I knew the situation with the yellow cards, but I didn’t know if an accumulation of yellow cards would bring a player to suspension. I didn’t know if it would be like in Italian football, where it would be a corresponding competition – the first match of the FA Cup. I was waiting for that decision and found out two days ago.”

The 23-year-old will be joined on the sidelines by Chris Smalling as the centre-back is also suspended following his dismissal during last seasons FA Cup final win over Crystal Palace, but otherwise Mourinho has no fresh injury concerns.

With Smalling sidelined, summer signing Eric Bailly is expected to make his competitive debut and could be partnered by Daley Blind at the back while Ander Herrera, Morgan Schneiderlin and Marouane Fellaini will battle to partner Michael Carrick in midfield.

Jose Mourinho tells #MUTV he has no new injury concerns. Pogba and Smalling suspended for Bournemouth game. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/TvikaHoNRp

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 12, 2016