Pogba insists stamp on Hector Bellerin was an accident

Paul Pogba insisted his stamp on Hector Bellerin was completely accidental and a product of the Arsenal defender’s unusual body shape.

The Manchester United midfielder is missing Sunday’s derby against Manchester City after his sending off at the Emirates.

Pogba was spotted explaining his actions after the victory against Arsenal before publicly revealing his version of the incident following Tuesday’s Champions League win over CSKA Moscow.

‘I didn’t really speak after the (Arsenal) game — I didn’t have time — but I know Hector as well, and I would never give him a tackle like this,’ Pogba said.

‘Unfortunately for me I thought he would put his feet (there) and he was in a position that was a disadvantage for me so I’ve done it.

‘It looks very bad but the intention wasn’t like that. They had the decision, the referee got the red card out and that’s football.’

Jose Mourinho decided against appealing Pogba’s three-match ban, which will also see him absent for Premier League games with Bournemouth and West Brom.

The Frenchman received a red card that will keep him out of the derby with Manchester City

The 24-year-old could not hide his regret at the prospect of having to watch on against City at Old Trafford.

‘I’m very disappointed because I really want to help the team and wanted to be there for this derby,’ he added. ‘We need points and we need to win. It’s an important moment, an important game.

‘The day is coming, Sunday is coming, so we will start getting ready for this. I think we are all playing football, to play those kind of games and unfortunately for me I won’t play.

‘That’s destiny. I say destiny because I cannot go back in the past. You have to think about the future.’

The 24-year-old will also miss Premier League clashes with Bournemouth and West Brom