Paul Pogba has finally spoken out following his red card in Manchester United’s 5-0 defeat by Liverpool.
In a short statement posted on his Instagram page alongside a picture of himself leaving the Old Trafford pitch after being shown a straight red card, Pogba wrote: “No time to feel sorry for ourselves… Wake up, step up and make the next. day’s better!”
Pogba started the derby from the bench and watched as United were ripped apart by Jurgen Klopp’s men.
At the start of the second half, with the Reds 4-0 ahead, Solskjaer brought on Pogba for Mason Greenwood.
But the France international midfielder lasted only 15 minutes after he was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Liverpool star Naby Keita..
Pogba caught the midfielder flush on the ankle and was initially shown a yellow card before a VAR review saw the decision overturned and the Frenchman was given his marching orders.
Keita, meanwhile, received treatment on the pitch and was eventually removed on a stretcher and taken to the medical room.
Former Man United midfielder Paul Scholes was critical of Pogba after the match, saying the World Cup winner has caused “mayhem” at Old Trafford over the years.
“Paul Pogba coming on to the pitch at half-time to try and help the team and maybe get a little respectability about it, tries to stand on the ball, tries to show how strong he is in the middle of the pitch… gives the goal away,” said Scholes.
“Then, later on, gets sent off with a ridiculous tackle. Now you’re 5-0 down with 10 men. You’d have to think if Ole’s still a manager there, will we see Pogba again in a United shirt?
“He’s caused mayhem over the last couple of years. Everyone knows what a talent he is, everybody trusts him, every manager trusts him, tried to give him his head and let him be the player he’s been.
“But with all the commotion, not signing his contract, almost holding the club to ransom, and then he comes on and does something like that.
“Look, he probably will play (again) won’t he? But I don’t think they will be missing anything if he doesn’t.
“He’s had numerous chances, he keeps saying he lacks consistency, but that is just (a lack of) discipline and disrespect for your manager and your teammates, what he’s done today.”