NEVILLE RAPS HAND OF POG
MAN UTD ......... 1 WEST HAM ........ 1
PAUL POGBA was branded “embarrassing” for giving away a penalty which could ultimately cost Manchester United a Champions League place.
The draw against West Ham means United need to avoid defeat at Leicester on Sunday to secure a top-four place and take their place back among European football’s elite.
Former United skipper Gary Neville laid into Pogba, despite United rescuing a point which moved them up to third thanks to an equaliser from Mason Greenwood.
Pogba needlessly handled a Declan Rice freekick moments before halftime to concede a spot-kick which was converted by Michail Antonio.
Although Greenwood salvaged a draw, Neville did not hold back in his criticism of the £89million France midfielder.
He said: “Pogba’s in big, big trouble. He’s given away a penalty and pretended
BY DAVID McDONNELL it’s hit his head. It’s rubbish from him. Embarrassing.
“Forget the fact that it is an appalling lack of discipline, in terms of giving the penalty away.”
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted Pogba should have taken the ball full in the face.
He said: “It was a natural reaction. Paul held his hands up, knowing he should have taken it in the mush. It came flying at him at 100 miles an hour.
“We’d like to have not conceded a penalty here but we’ve given ourselves a fantastic opportunity for Sunday.”
The draw sealed West Ham’s Premier League status for another season.
Boss David Moyes said: “We’re moving in the right direction. We’ve got young players, good talent, we have to try to improve.”