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Paul Pogba is already laughing about facing his brother in Europa League, says Jose Mourinho

Paul Pogba and brother Florentin Pogba
Image: Paul Pogba and brother Florentin Pogba will clash when Manchester United face Saint-Etienne in the Europa League last-32

Paul Pogba is already laughing about facing his brother Florentin in the Europa League, says Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho.

United have drawn French club Saint-Etienne, where Florentin has played as a centre-back since 2012, in the last-32 of the competition.

Mourinho says he is pleased at the short distance his side will have to travel in the first knockout phase, and that they can forget about the competition until February.

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"That's a nice thing (that Paul will face Florentin)," Mourinho said ahead of United's clash with Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

"Paul was already laughing and for sure his brother is also laughing. (Brothers clashing) has happened in the history of football few times and it's a nice thing.

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Mourinho says he is relieved to only be travelling to France in the last-32

"Then the good thing is the travel distance. We were unlucky in the group stage. We had to go very far. It was difficult to got to Turkey and Ukraine, but now we go to France. It's an easy flight in a busy period - February - with lots of matches.

"Then Saint Etienne a historical club, with lots of tradition. People of my generation never forget that (Michel) Platini team. And it will be difficult because every team that is left in the competition is a good team.

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"For sure Manchester United is one of the big names in the competition, but it will be hard. But now we have two months to forget the Europa League."

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