PAUL POGBA will start against CSKA Moscow tonight after Manchester United decided not to appeal against his red card at Arsenal.

The France midfielder was dismissed at Ashburton Grove on Saturday and is set to serve a three-game domestic ban.

It is understood United have not contested the dismissal and that the FA will not impose an additional punishment after Pogba appeared to respond to the red card with a sarcastic clap.

That means the midfielder will take the field in United’s final Champions League group game — where the possibility of equalling a club record of 40 successive home games without defeat is arguably the most important prize at stake.

The Red Devils officially need a point to assure top spot and qualification but only an extreme contrivance of results and goal difference would see them miss out on the last 16.

“He’s happy to play tomorrow. It’s the next match, the match that matters. He plays tomorrow,” said manager Jose Mourinho.

“He’s very happy to play and try to keep his momentum because since he was back from his injury he’s been phenomenal.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, on the other hand, is being treated with kid gloves ahead of Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash against Manchester City.

The Swede has made four substitute appearances since his earlier-than-expected return from knee ligament damage, but was absent from the squad when United defeated Arsenal.

Mourinho confirmed it was a conditioning issue rather than a fresh injury which kept the striker out at Arsenal and he will give Ibrahimovic every chance of being ready to face Pep Guardiola and company.