Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba suspended for Manchester United opener, but will be fit for 2nd match

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:43 p.m. ET

Ryan Rosenblatt

Manchester United will open their season without the most expensive signing in the history of the sport. Paul Pogba has been suspended for the Red Devils' Premier League opener, pushing his debut back a week.

Pogba was booked twice in last season's Coppa Italia final with Juventus and Manchester United have been informed that the ban will be enforced by the Premier League. Jose Mourinho said he wasn't sure if he would still be suspended with his move to England, but it was confirmed that it will be.

Even if Pogba wasn't suspended, he almost definitely wouldn't have started anyway. The midfielder was given an extended summer break after playing with France at the Euros and only returned to training this week after he signed with Manchester United. He still needs to work his way back to match fitness.

Pogba must have done a good job staying in shape over the summer, though, because Mourinho did confirm that Pogba will be ready to go for the Red Devils' second match of the season against Southampton on Friday.

"By Tuesday, he [Pogba] will be ready to play against Southampton," Mourinho said at a press conference.

Manchester United open the season against Bournemouth, a team many expect to be in a relegation fight, so the Red Devils could win without Pogba. So long as he's ready to go against Southampton, there may be no harm done and Mourinho can begin his reign at Old Trafford with a handful of wins.

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