Pogba banned for United's 1st game of Premier League season

MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- World-record signing Paul Pogba will not be available for Manchester United's first game of the Premier League season as he is serving a ban carried over from his time at Juventus.

And it has taken United manager Jose Mourinho by surprise.

England's Football Association said Friday that Pogba collected a one-match ban after being booked twice in the Coppa Italia at the end of last season. The suspension has been transferred to England.

The France midfielder, signed for $116 million this week, must sit out United's away match against Bournemouth on Sunday.

Mourinho said he only received the information on Wednesday - a day after Pogba completed his protracted transfer.

''I knew the situation with the yellow cards,'' Mourinho said, ''but I didn't know at that time if an accumulation of yellow cards (in Italy) would bring a player suspension (in England).

''I didn't know if a suspension from Italian football would be for the corresponding competition in England, which would be the first FA Cup match. I didn't know so I was waiting for the decision.''

Pogba's first game in his second spell at United could be a home match against Southampton on Aug. 19.

Mourinho appeared not to be bothered.

''I don't speak about suspended players or injured players, I speak only about the ones that are ready to play,'' Mourinho said. ''So I forget Paul for a few days.''