Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts to Paul Pogba handball in West Ham draw
Posted Thursday, July 23, 2020 by Express.co.uk
Manchester United star Paul Pogba conceded a penalty in the club's 1-1 Premier League draw with West Ham on Wednesday night.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended Paul Pogba after the club's 1-1 draw with West Ham on Wednesday night. The France international conceded a penalty at Old Trafford, allowing Michail Antonio to open the scoring. But the Red Devils earned a point through Mason Greenwood, who scored his 17th goal of the season.
Manchester United went into Monday’s showdown with West Ham knowing they needed to bounce back after losing against Chelsea on Sunday night, slipping to a 3-1 defeat in their FA Cup clash.
At first, they struggled.
The Red Devils carved some good opportunities throughout the early embers of the game, with both Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial testing Lukas Fabianski in the Hammers goal.
But, just before half time, they fell behind.
Pogba incredulously gave away a penalty, handling the ball in the area.
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended Paul Pogba after West Ham draw (Image: GETTY)
And that allowed Antonio to put the visitors in front, with the 30-year-old keeping his cool from the spot to send David De Gea the wrong way.
United did level through Greenwood, who found the net after a good exchange with Anthony Martial.
And, speaking after the game, Solskjaer defended Pogba.
"It's a natural reaction," he said.
"Paul's held his hand up knowing he should have taken it in a mush but it's a natural reaction when that ball comes at 100mph."
Man Utd star Mason Greenwood celebrates goal in West Ham clash (Image: GETTY)
United legend Gary Neville, however, wasn't impressed.
"Not sure what the referee has given, it hits him flush in the face doesn't it?" Neville said.
"Has he got his arms up? He's in trouble, he's in big trouble Paul Pogba. He's in big, big trouble.
"He's given a penalty away and then pretended it's hit his head. It's rubbish from him, rubbish.
"To think I felt a little bit sorry for him, I thought he took a whack in the head. Embarrassing.
"I don't know why VAR are looking at it that long to be honest with you. It's a penalty. He shakes his head.
"Is he trying to make out he's got a bloody nose? No-brainer, I don't know what they're looking at, it's a penalty.
"You don't do that, you take it in your grid."
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