We won for Manchester, the country and the people who have died
PAUL POGBA’S HEARTFELT TRIBUTE
Paul pogba led the tributes as Manchester united’s players dedicated their Europa league triumph to the victims of the bomb attack in their city after beating ajax in Stockholm last night.
united lifted the only European trophy the club had never won and clinched qualification to next season’s Champions league with a 2-0 win at the Friends arena.
The victory came 48 hours after a suicide bomber killed 22 people and injured dozens more at the Manchester arena.
paul pogba, who scored united’s first goal with a deflected effort in the 18th minute, said: ‘We played for England, we played for Manchester, and we played for the people who died.
‘We know that things like this are very sad, all over the world: in Manchester, in london and in paris, too. We had to focus because it was a very important game and we won for them and for the country.
‘We knew we were going to play in the Europa league and the goal was to win the Europa league.
‘We did it, so we’re very proud. Some say we had a bad season but the prize is here. We worked hard and we’ll enjoy it now.’
ander Herrera said that united’s players were ‘devastated’ when they heard about the atrocity.
‘This is just football but what happened two days ago was horrible,’ said Herrera. ‘We want peace in the world, a normal world with respect.
‘This happened in Manchester but everywhere we need to have a united world to fight for peace and no more attacks and deaths please.
‘ Yesterday morning we were really, really sad because you think of life and football — you have no choice.
‘It was difficult to train yesterday but the manager told us the only thing we could do is win this for them and that is what we have done. It is just a football game and a trophy but if we can help and support with this just one per cent it is enough for us.’
Juan Mata admitted that the terror attack had cast a shadow over united’s preparation for the game.
‘It was a very difficult week for all of us, and we wanted to win for all those who suffered,’ said the Spanish midfielder. ‘We wanted to win for the city of Manchester. after what happened appened yesterday it is nice to bring a trophyphy back.
‘We came heree with one option, to win the trophy the club has never won, and we did.
‘ It means a lot for me personally as well. It was a great final for our supporters, and hopefully the first European trophy of many.’
Former united start David beckham echoed those sentiments, saying: ‘Tonight was more important than sport.
‘ Yes it was a big night for Manchester united but an even bigger night for the city and for our country.
‘at a time when we are grieving for the families that have lost loved ones we have a sport that has bought a little happiness at a difficult time.’ Henrikh Mkhitaryan put united in a commanding position when he scored the second goal from close range less than three minutes after half-time. It was the armenian’s sixth goal in the competition this season. ‘Thank you to my team-mates because without them I couldn’t score so many goals,’ said Mkhitaryan. ‘I was dreaming about scoring in the final and I did. ‘We were fighting in two races — the premier league and the Europa league. In the premier league we couldn’t hit the target to go to the Champions league, but tonight we gave all our effort and now we’re playing in it.’
an emotional Jose Mourinho hugged his son Jose Mario on the pitch at the final whistle as he celebrated lifting this trophy 14 years after winning the old UEFA Cup with FC porto.
The united boss held up three fingers to the crowd to represent the number of trophies he has won in his first season at old Trafford, having previously lifted the EFL Cup and Community Shield.
Mourinho said: ‘It is the end of a difficult season but a very good season. We prefer this way than finish fourth ( in the premier league). We’ve won a title, an important title, that closes the lot. We have won every title in world football. Now from a selfish perspective I am on holiday. I don’t want to see any football or any international friendlies.
‘Three trophies in a season, I am really happy with the players after my most difficult season as a manager.’
ajax coach peter bosz described it as ‘a boring game’ and said that united ‘only played long balls’.
but, asked about his side’s style of play against a young ajax team, Mourinho said: ‘There are lots of poets in football, but the poets don’t win many titles.’