Manchester United send worrying statement over Pogba’s penalty miss

August 19, 2019 Manchester United's Paul Pogba reacts during the match Action Images via Reuters

Manchester United are working on identifying individuals who racially abused Paul Pogba online after the midfielder missed a penalty in Monday's 1-1 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

Pogba won a late penalty but had his effort from the spot saved by Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio. The draw cost United top spot in the Premier League standings, leading to a handful of supporters racially abusing the Frenchman.

Manchester United's Paul Pogba, front, fails to score penalty shot during the English Premier League soccer match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at the Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, England, Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (AP Photo)

"The individuals who expressed these views do not represent the values of our great club and it is encouraging to see the vast majority of our fans condemn this on social media also," United said in a statement.

"Manchester United has zero tolerance of any form of racism or discrimination and a long-standing commitment to campaigning against it through our #AllRedAllEqual initiative.

"We will work to identify the few involved in these incidents and take the strongest course of action available to us. We also encourage social media companies to take action in these cases."

Defender Harry Maguire termed the abuse "disgusting" and called on social media companies to verify user accounts to prevent supporters from abusing players anonymously.

"Social media need to do something about it," Maguire said in a tweet. "Every account that is opened should be verified by a passport/driving licence. Stop these pathetic trolls making numerous accounts to abuse people."

Forward Marcus Rashford also stood in solidarity with his team mate.

"Manchester United is a family," he said in a tweet. "Paul Pogba is a huge part of that family. You attack him you attack us all."

Last week Chelsea boss Frank Lampard also urged social media companies to take stricter action after 21-year-old striker Tammy Abraham was the target of racist abuse after his missed penalty in the UEFA Super Cup loss to Liverpool.