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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Mark Critchley

Manchester United vs Barcelona: Paul Pogba sends rallying cry to teammates after Champions League defeat

Paul Pogba believes that, in Barcelona, Manchester United saw a team they can beat last night, despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side needing a memorable comeback to rescue their Champions League campaign.

United must overturn a 1-0 deficit at the Nou Camp next Tuesday if they are to reach the semi-finals of the competition following their first-leg defeat at Old Trafford.

Luke Shaw's 12th-minute own goal proved to be the difference between the two sides in a game low on quality and clear-cut chances.

United reached this year's quarter-finals thanks to one of their greatest European results, overturning a 2-0 home leg deficit to qualify on away goals against Paris Saint-Germain.

And Pogba, who missed the 3-1 victory in Paris last month through suspension, believes Barcelona are so strong that another turnaround is impossible.

“Of course, we saw a team we can beat," he said. "If you don’t believe that then you just let them go through. We believe we can beat them. 

"We are Manchester United. They are Barcelona but we are Manchester United and we play in the Champions League like they do and we can go through of course.

“We are 1-0 down and now go to the Nou Camp but we believe chances will come over there. We have to keep believing. 

"It is a Champions League game and we know we can hurt them as well as they can hurt us."

Pogba suggested that United's penchant for picking up results against the odds in Europe this season means Barcelona cannot afford to become complacent.

“Probably Paris will be in their minds, for sure, because they saw what we can do against PSG," he said. "Obviously they will be comfortable on their own pitch but let us see. We’ll see what happens at the end."

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