Juan Mata slams ‘cowardly’ racist abuse targeted at Paul Pogba

Juan Mata has described the racist abuse targeted at Paul Pogba as cowardly, after the Frenchman was subject to a series of vile messages following his penalty miss at Wolves on Monday.

Pogba’s penalty was saved by Rui Patricio with the scores level at Molineux, as the Reds squandered a great chance to secure a fantastic away victory.

But what followed on social media was nothing short of disgusting, and Mata believes it is too easy for people to hide behind anonymous accounts and tweet abhorrent abuse.

“That’s one of the things about social media. It’s fantastic to connect people if you use it for the right thing,” the Spaniard told ESPN.

“But it also gives a chance for so many people to let go of their frustrations towards other people and with no problems because there are so many fake accounts. There’s no identity. Then you can say whatever you want and you are not punished.

“It’s a problem. Unfortunately some people do that and it needs to stop. It’s cowardly to do it that way because no one can see you. It’s not nice.”

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The abuse received by Pogba overlooked what was still a positive night for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, with Molineux never an easy place to go and get a result.

United came so close to victory, and there are encouraging signs going into the rest of the campaign. The defence again looked solid aside from a shaky 10 minute spell where Wolves were on top, and Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial looked dangerous up front.

Martial registered his second goal in as many games and will hope to make it three from three when the Reds face Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Saturday.

 

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