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Paul Pogba: Manchester United performance in Everton defeat was 'disgraceful'

The Frenchman didn't mince his words after the 4-0 thumping at Goodison Park

Ed Malyon
Monday 22 April 2019 19:03 BST
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Manchester United players let the fans and the club down

Manchester United's players put in a performance that was 'disrespectful' to the club and its supporters in Sunday's 4-0 thumping by Everton, Paul Pogba has admitted.

The heavy defeat at Goodison Park left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side back in sixth with four games to go and the Champions League places slipping out of reach.

That makes three defeats in the last five games for United, who now have the unenviable task of playing table-toppers Manchester City on Wednesday night.

"The way we played and the performance of myself, of the team, of everyone is disrespectful," Pogba told Sky Sports. "We didn't respect ourselves, the club or the fans.

"It's 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.

"Everything went wrong but the most important thing is the mentality that we put on the pitch, that has to change... What we did on the pitch is not respectful for the team mates, for the staff, for the people, for the kit man, for everyone."

Pogba was given just 4/10 in the player ratings from Goodison after another lacklustre display by United's club-record signing.

His manager Solskjaer, meanwhile, warned his players that they must show fight if they are to be a part of his close season rebuild and he also apologised to fans after the heaviest loss of his short tenure.

Pogba said the only way the squad could apologise to the fans was to give them a reaction on the pitch in their upcoming games. United's next game is a derby when they host title challengers Manchester City on Wednesday.

"The fans want a reaction from the players and the only way to apologise to them is to give everything on the pitch," Pogba said. "Do our best, create chances, score goals, defend, work for the team.

"We can even lose games, but with a good performance and pride on the pitch. When you wear this shirt at this club... you have to work and respect the culture, the history of this club and give everything 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."

Additional reporting by agencies

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