Paul Pogba waited until FULL-TIME of Manchester United’s thumping win over Roma to break his Ramadan fast as Frenchman skipped food at half-time before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side put on a second-half masterclass
- Paul Pogba was at his brilliant best as Manchester United thumped Roma 6-2
- The midfielder scored and was instrumental in Bruno Fernandes’ opening goal
- As a Muslim, Pogba is taking part in Ramadan between April 12 to May 12
- The Frenchman could have broken the fast at half-time, but waited until the end
Paul Pogba was virtually unplayable as Manchester United thumped Roma, scoring and putting in a stunning performance on Thursday – all while fasting for Ramadan.
The French World Cup winner’s header put United 5-2 up in the Europa League semi-final first leg, making amends after conceding an early penalty. His brilliant technique to set up Bruno Fernandes‘ opener was another sublime moment.
During the holy month – running April 12 to May 12 – Muslims like Pogba cannot eat or drink in daylight hours, meaning the midfielder began the game amid his fast.
Paul Pogba was on fire as Manchester United crushed Roma in the Europa League semi-final
The Frenchman scored a header for United’s fifth amid a super performance in the midfield
With the second-half set to be played after nightfall, he had the option to break the fast at the interval. Instead, he played on and continued the masterclass in the second-half.
‘Paul Pogba was fasting for Ramadan last night,’ BT Sport’s Reshmin Chowdhury revealed.
‘At full-time, he quickly ate, then reappeared for media interviews, sipping an energy drink. All this with a massive smile.
‘I asked how he manages fasting and playing. He looked up, pointed and said “Allah helps us.”
Pogba managed the brilliant display despite fasting for Ramadan, only eating at half-time
The Frenchman quickly ate post-match before emerging for interviews with plenty of energy
The performance confirmed Pogba’s claims that he can take Ramadan in his stride, having told told United’s website: ‘I’ve been doing it (Ramadan) for years.
‘I’m lucky. It’s not that hot, you know, so I can deal with it. It’s not that hard, and it’s for a good cause so it’s good.’
United icon Rio Ferdinand replied, writing ‘love this’ after rejoicing in an overwhelming victory which all-but secured the Old Trafford side’s place in the Europa League final.
United were 2-1 down at the break after Lorenzo Pellegrini converted the penalty Pogba conceded for handball, before Edin Dzeko bagged another to overhaul Fernandes’ opener.
Then United ran riot in the second half, as Edinson Cavani bagged a double, Fernandes added a second, before Greenwood got in on the act following Pogba’s header.
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