1:36 PM ET
Rob DawsonCorrespondent
Ralf Rangnick said it “doesn’t make sense” for Manchester United fans to criticise Paul Pogba after the midfielder was booed off at Old Trafford.
Rangnick’s decision to substitute Pogba in the second half of the 3-2 win over Norwich on Saturday was initially greeted with cheers by supporters before they turned to boos as he walked off. There were chants of “f–k off Pogba”.
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The 29-year-old was given another hostile reception at the final whistle as he appeared to cup his ear in the direction of the Stretford End.
“I didn’t hear it myself to be honest, we were talking about it with my staff in the locker room,” Rangnick said when asked about the response from the fans towards Pogba.
“I think the fans here are amazing, I really do. The support in the stadium today was great, it could not have been any better.
“I can understand if the fans are frustrated and disappointed, so are we. I don’t think it makes sense to take on and to target any individual person or player. It’s a collective responsibility. For me it doesn’t make sense and this is why I will always defend and protect my players.
“By the way I think Paul in the first half in possession of the ball did well.”
Paul Pogba cupped his ear when he walked down the tunnel. Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Rangnick was also asked in his post-match news conference about the video circulating on social media of Pogba, who is out of contract in the summer, cupping his ear as he walked down the tunnel at full-time.
“I didn’t see it, I heard that,” he added. “It was probably his reaction to the chanting of the fans. As I said, I can understand in a way the fans and supporters but it doesn’t make sense to take on individual players.”
United had Cristiano Ronaldo to thank for their narrow victory over bottom side Norwich after the 37-year-old netted his 60th career hat-trick.
The result means Rangnick’s…
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