Florentin Pogba ready to 'foul' little brother Paul in United clash

If Paul Pogba’s bearing down on goal at Old Trafford on Thursday, he’ll have to be wary of getting scythed down by big brother Florentin Pogba of Saint-Etienne.

The elder sibling, whose twin, Mathias, plies his trade for Sparta Rotterdam, has been with the storied Ligue 1 outfit since 2012, but his career is relatively modest when compared to Manchester United’s Paul, the world’s most expensive player and one of the most recognisable sports figures on the planet.

When the first whistle sounds in their Europa League Round of 32 meeting, however, they will be on even yet – for Paul – potentially tumultuous ground.

(Photo courtesy: Reuters)

“We’re both determined players,” Florentin told Telefoot, with translation from ESPN FC’s Ian Holyman. “Him and me. If he’s on a run, and I have to tackle him, I’ll tackle him. I’m not going to knock him out. But if I have to foul him, I’ll do it.”

Although the second leg is staged at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, United is the firm favourite to advance to the final 16. The French side’s sporting director Dominique Rocheteau confessed to preferring to have met the English giant later in the competition when the teams were drawn together, but anticipates a fine occasion on Thursday.

“Florentin and Paul, it’s a beautiful story,” he said.

Saint-Etienne is currently a respectable fifth place in Ligue 1 and takes on United after trouncing Lorient by a 4-0 scoreline on Sunday.