Paul Pogba has made an emotional statement ahead of Manchester derby.
Manchester United lost their six games in the last eight games for the first time since 1981. The latest defeat came against Everton, who battered them 4-0 at their own backyard on Sunday which has cast doubts about the Red Devils’ top four credentials.
More than tasting the defeat, the players looked disinterested throughout the game because of the ongoing contract problems. Following the Champions League elimination in the hands of Barcelona, Man United legend Gary Neville put forward this point by doubting players commitment to the club.
Fans were furious with the players following the 4-0 loss and plenty of players have apologized through an interview or social media to put things back on track to finish in the top four. Paul Pogba, who put in a distraught performance has asked forgiveness for that dismal display and vowed to put in a quick-witted performance against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
The World Cup winner sat with Sky Sports for the build-up for Manchester derby and issued an apology. “I wish I knew [what went wrong]. It was the details, the desire, we spoke about courage and everything we had when the manager came,” said Pogba.
“What we had there, it was just like another team and this is not good. It is not good for Man United, for the story of the club or for the fans. It is not good at all what we did. Losing a game is something really bad that we don’t want to when we are in the race for the top four and losing 4-0 as well.
“Not to be disrespectful and I am not disrespectful on Everton, but the way we played and the performance of myself, of the team, of everyone is disrespectful. We didn’t respect ourselves, the club or the fans.”
“Sometimes, you try to give everything but nothing comes with it. You keep trying, you might lose some balls that you might not lose, you lose some challenges that you win, and most of the time we would create chances that we would score but we missed.
“Everything went wrong but the most important thing is the mentality that we put on the pitch – that has to change. Now it is in the past and we cannot stay on the past because it is a headache. You have to think about the next game and do better.
“[In the dressing room after the game] we let the manager speak, the staff speak and they spoke the truth. They said what happened in the game and it is not respectful for ourselves.
“What we did on the pitch is not respectful for the team-mates, for the staff, for the people, for the kitman, for everyone. For their work, they put their life on us, the team and this club. What we showed on the pitch, we did not give them the joy back and that’s why we are angry with ourselves. We want to do better for sure and we have to. The reaction has to be there.
“I want to say [to the fans], and I know it may not be enough, but the fans want a reaction from the players and the only way to apologise to them is to give everything on the pitch, do our best, create chances, score goals, defend, work for the team and we can even lose games, but with a good performance and pride on the pitch.
“That’s how we should apologise to the fans, just to give everything for us, for the club, for the shirt, for the team-mates and for ourselves as well because it is us on the pitch and we cannot perform like we did.”
Here’s how Twitter reacted..
Paul Pogba: “The way we played and the performance of myself, of the team, of everyone is disrespectful.”
You can read the article below & watch the interview on @SkySportsPL in Wednesday’s Manchester Derby build-up 🙌🏽https://t.co/9EU407GlK1 pic.twitter.com/M38ibX8aoh
— Laura Woods (@laura_woodsy) April 22, 2019
Paul Pogba says Manchester United’s defeat to Everton was “disrespectful” to everyone involved with the club 👀
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 22, 2019
“Manchester United’s players did not respect the club or their fans” during Sunday’s 4-0 loss at Everton, midfielder Paul Pogba has said.
➡ https://t.co/GA9TNVDg3O #mufc #efc pic.twitter.com/531pm6e6OW
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 22, 2019
What’s next?
Manchester United will face Manchester City on Wednesday and that game will be followed by the clash against Chelsea in front of their home crowd four days later.
