Paul Pogba appeared to react to Manchester United fans on an afternoon of contrasting emotions for the team at Old Trafford during Saturday’s Premier League victory over Norwich.
Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick dragged Ralf Rangnick’s side to the victory after a hugely unconvincing team performance in the midst of a poisonous atmosphere among the club’s fanbase. There was a huge protest staged by fans ahead of kick-off against the club's Glazer ownership and the supporters turned their ire on underperforming players during the game.
Chants of “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” were directed towards the team after they let their two-goal lead over the Premier League's basement side slip, but it was the underperforming Paul Pogba who bore the direct brunt of the frustration. As he was substituted off midway through the half, the news was met by ironic cheers from large sections of the home side's fans before he was booed off. In the immediate aftermath of the moves, the audible chant "f*** off Pogba" came from the home stands.
When quizzed about the chants after the match, United’s interim boss Rangnick responded: "I didn't hear, but I was told after the game. I can totally understand the fans being frustrated, but I don't think they should be targeting players individually. This is not right or fair."
It is little surprise that Rangnick did not wish to discuss the chants, but it did appear that Pogba reacted to the irate home fans on his way off the pitch at the end of the game. Despite United celebrating a much-welcome three points against the league’s bottom side, the mood was far from ecstatic in the stands.
As the players made their way off the pitch at the final whistle, the boos towards Pogba appeared to continue with the Frenchman than seeming to cup his ears in the direction of the anger. It was the latest indicator of a relationship between the player and the fans that appears to be entirely broken with Pogba set to exit Old Trafford this summer as a free agent.
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Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, United goalkeeper David De Gea said of the game: "We know we are not at our best moment. The most important thing is the victory and we are closer to the top four.
"The spirit is there. Everyone is dropping points ups and won so we have a chance. It's not enough to be in the top four. We should control the game from the beginning and not give them chances. We give chances to every team so we have to improve a lot.
"We take the three points and let's see on Tuesday [away to Liverpool]. I hope this victory gives us more confidence. We want to go there and try and win.
" Cristiano Ronaldo is a top player, he always tries to score goals and tries to be there for the team."
