Manchester United ace Bruno Fernandes sends two-word message to Paul Pogba following doping ban

Bruno Fernandes has sent a message of support to Paul Pogba after the former Manchester United midfielder was handed a four-year ban for doping offences.

The 30-year-old Juventus playmaker had been on a provisional suspension after initial tests in August showed the Frenchman had elevated levels of testosterone. These results were verified by the Italian national anti-doping tribunal (Nado) on Thursday, which has now motioned a four-year ban.

The banishment would all but end Pogba’s career. The player rejects the verdict of Nado, claiming that it is "incorrect", and is due to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

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Former United colleague Fernandes has sent a message of support to Pogba on Instagram, commenting beneath a post from the World Cup winner confirming his appeal. The 29-year-old wrote: “Together bro,” while former skipper Harry Maguire commented: “PP [loveheart emoji].”

Raphael Varane wrote: "Force," with a love heart emjoi while Jadon Sancho also sent the same emoji.

Pogba, who left United in 2022, denies consuming any performance enhancing drugs knowingly and was taken aback by Nado’s findings. In a statement he said: “I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect.

“I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me. When I am free of legal restrictions the full story will become clear, but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations.

“As a professional athlete I would never do anything to enhance my