EPL: Paul Pogba online racial abuse 'disgusts' Manchester United 

Manchester United have condemned racial abuse which was aimed at midfielder Paul Pogba on social media after his missed penalty in the 1-1 draw at Molineux on Tuesday (NZT).

Pogba saw his 68th-minute spot-kick saved by Wolves keeper, Rui Patricio, as United dropped points for the first time this season in the Premier League.

In a statement, United said: "Everyone at Manchester United is disgusted by the racial abuse aimed at Paul Pogba last night and we utterly condemn it."

Pogba became the third footballer in England to suffer such abuse in the space of a week following a missed spot-kick, with racist abuse also directed at Reading's Yakou Meite and Chelsea's Tammy Abraham.

"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's statement continued.

"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."

Pogba's miss came after an apparent debate with Marcus Rashford over who should step up to take the penalty, and the England striker was quick to condemn the abuse which came his team-mate's way.

"Manchester United is a family," Rashford wrote on Twitter.

"paulpogba is a huge part of that family. You attack him you attack us all."

United's England defender Harry Maguire reacted by posting on Twitter: 

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

Anti-discrimination campaign group Kick It Out echoed that view in its own statement.

"The number of posts such as these since the start of the season further highlights how discriminatory abuse online is out of control," it said.

"Without immediate and the strongest possible action, these cowardly acts will continue to grow.

"As always, we have contacted the respective clubs to offer support to those affected."

PA