Paul Pogba reveals Manchester United stars left in shock after Tottenham hammering
PAUL POGBA claimed the Manchester United players were in shock after their nightmare at the Theatre of Dreams.
Playing well and in control of the game at half-time against Spurs, they were down and out within seven minutes of the restart as the visitors struck twice before running out 3-0 winners.
Paul Pogba holds his head in his hands during a humiliating night at Old TraffordGetty Images - Getty
Pogba said: “It’s bizarre. We were determined, we started well, and in the end we lost 3-0. It’s a shock.
“Even we don’t understand what happened. We started the game really well, we conceded two goals in the second half.
“The first goal was a real blow, we didn’t understand why, because we had the game in hand. One goal, two…we kept pushing, we had chances, and we conceded the third.
“The fans kept pushing us, they were really behind us.
“We feel really sorry for them, very disappointed, we wanted to do better. I think it was an undeserved defeat for us. In our desire, in everything we put into it. But football can be cruel.”
Paul Pogba and defender Chris Smith seem in a daze during defeatAFP or Licensors
Indeed it can but the test of a team is how they recover and United desperately need to by next Sunday when they make the short trip to Burnley for their next Premier League fixture.
Pogba said: “We just have to bounce back.
“It won’t be easy, but it’s just the start of the season. I prefer to start badly and end well than start well and finish badly.
“We have to keep going, we musn’t worry. We must work. We are still Manchester United and we won’t give up on anything.”
Tottenham and forwward Lucas Moura enjoyed a great nightNews Group Newspapers Ltd
One United player who came out of the 90 minutes with credit was Luke Shaw.
He was the first player manager Jose Mourinho went to at the end of the game to consol.
Shaw like Pogba could not quite fathom how a first half of domination turned into a crushing defeat.
Shaw Said: “You look at the first half and I think we were outstanding. We had a lot of chances to put the game to bed.
“Of the chances we had, maybe one or two, then for me it would have been game over.
Nemanja Matic was disappointed with his sideNews Group Newspapers Ltd
Jose Mourinho gives Luke Shaw a comforting arm around the shoulder after Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat to TottenhamNews Group Newspapers Ltd
“We spoke at half-time and Jose said they hadn’t had one corner, one cross or one dangerous opportunity – actually maybe we did make a couple of mistakes in the first half but no corners, no crosses, nothing, but…. then, from their first corner they had comes a goal, but even then we should have been relaxed because it was only one goal and we still have got a lot of time.
“But then came another mistake, another silly, stupid goal. We were so on top and it is just really disappointing, everyone in the dressing room is really sad, especially after the first half we had.”
Mourinho made a point of going to the Stretford End at the end of the game to thank those fans who had stayed to the end for their support.
Shaw admits that was one of the few things that lifted them on an otherwise disappointing night.
He said: “Thank you to the fans who supported us even when we were 3-0 down was amazing.
“At the final whistle the way they were clapping their team.
Jose Mourinho has shuffled his defence, but stuck with Luke Shaw at left-backGetty Images - Getty
“It was really respectful and really nice for us to receive as players after a disappointing result.
“We will improve, we will keep working hard and it’s early in the season so we have a lot of games to come and a lot of positive things we can take from this game.
“But we have got to take points and this result wasn’t good enough. I am sorry for the fans, not just the ones here, but the ones at home who have been supporting.
“But we will look at that over the next week and bounce back against Burnley.”
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