There was a ton of motivation for Paul Pogba and Manchester United yesterday, but perhaps the biggest reason to stop Manchester City from defeating them lies in the cause of United fans. United midfielder Paul Pogba bagged a brace to lead United to a 3-2 win having been down 2-0 at half.
Pogba admits that losing to City and watching them celebrate would have been “like death” to United fans.
“I didn’t want to lose against City,” the Frenchman said.
“The loss from last season is still in my mind. If they won, they are champions, for all the fans it would be like death. To lose against City and to see them celebrate, I couldn’t let that happen. At half-time in the dressing room we said, ‘We have nothing to lose, 2-0, let’s do it’.”
City will still win the league title, it will just take at least another week. United will most likely finish second, as this win, coupled with Liverpool’s draw in the Merseyside derby, puts them in prime position to finish runner-up. United have four points and a game in hand on Liverpool. Jose Mourinho revealed what he said to his team at halftime in order to inspire the turnaround and defender Chris Smalling said Mourinho told the team they can’t end up looking like “clowns.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune corporation blogging community Chicago Now.
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