Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho refused to criticise his £89 million midfielder Paul Pogba after the France international missed a second-half penalty during his sides 2-0 Premier League victory over Burnley yesterday at Turf Moor.
Manchester United were 2-0 up when with 25 minutes remaining Mourinho’s side were given the chance to kill the game after Marcus Rashford was taken down in the area by Burnley winger Aaron Lennon.
Pogba stood up to take the penalty having already scored twice from the spot this season, but his effort was saved by Clarets ‘keeper Joe Hart.
It looked as if Pogba’s miss may prove costly when Rashford was sent off after an altercation with Burnley full-back Phil Bardsley just a few minutes later, but United held on for the win and speaking after the game Mourinho revealed that he will never blame a player who has the guts to step up and take a penalty.
“I never blame a player for missing penalties. I blame the ones who refuse to go up there. Paul’s scored some good ones for us,” Mourinho told the BBC.
Manchester United will face high flying Watford in their next Premier League fixture after the international break.
