Ralf Rangnick plays down suggestions that Paul Pogba was substituted vs Norwich City because he is fasting throughout Ramadan
In a press conference with journalists at Carrington, as quoted by the club’s official website, Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick played down suggestions that midfielder Paul Pogba was taken off against Norwich City because he is fasting throughout Ramadan.
As a practising Muslim, Pogba is one of many players across the Premier League who abstain from eating any food and drinking any liquids from dawn until sunset during this holy period.
The ex-Juventus man had a tough time against Norwich City where United emerged 3-2 winners. The Frenchman was subbed off in the 74th minute for Juan Mata, and those who were at the game or watched it on TV would have heard the boos from the Man United fans as he made his way off the field.
According to Rangnick, the substitution was a tactical decision and not because Pogba was fasting.
“No, I just felt it was the right time to bring on fresh legs and fresh players. It also had to do with the score at the time but I didn’t think about Ramadan or something like that.”
Pogba knows how to handle his fast, says Rangnick
When asked if any provisions are in place for the France international to take on food and drink if the sun goes down during the game tonight at Anfield, Rangnick responded by saying that Pogba was used to that and as a professional, he knows how to handle and deal with the situation.
“No, no. As a player and as a professional, he’s used to that and he knows how to handle that and to deal with that. Actually, I haven’t spoken with him about that but I don’t think this will affect his game and his performance.”
Pogba started the game against the Canaries, playing in a slightly deeper role than usual given that Rangnick’s first-choice midfield pairing of Fred and Scott McTominay were unavailable for selection due to injury.
The Frenchman was taken off when the scoreline was still 2-2, and the Red Devils would go on to score the eventual winner just a couple of minutes later. With the Brazilian and the Scotsman not having played the last game due to being sidelined, there is a very good chance we see Pogba feature tonight.
“As far as I know, he is fasting”
Ahead of the Liverpool game, Rangnick said that he was aware that Pogba was fasting but had not spoken to him about the same in person. The German referred to Ibrahima Konate amongst the opposition players who too was fasting, so such problems regarding food and drink would not be too much of a bother.
“I also know at least one player of Liverpool, he used to be my player, who is also doing the fasting. Ibrahima Konate, so he would also have the same problem.”
It is never easy for any player to play a brutal ninety minutes of football without any food or drink, so the Muslim players observing Ramadan and fasting need to be appreciated for their work ethic and ability to push through.
The Premier League is hard enough of a competition to play in due to its aggressive and fast-paced nature, and it takes resolve to get through a full match without any supplements to ensure you are functioning at the highest level.
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We have seen instances of games being halted in the English top-flight to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan, which is a good chance to witness and allows for more inclusivity and sensitivity to the players’ needs.
Against Liverpool tonight, we will need Pogba to be at his best in order to come away from Merseyside with all three points, and whatever provisions he needs during the game to help him observe his religious duties need to be dispensed with and provided.
