Nick Powell admits he was playing FIFA 16 instead of watching Manchester United

Midfielder is on loan at Hull City

Nick Powell

Manchester United midfielder Nick Powell admitted that he was playing FIFA 16 rather than watch his team lose in Denmark.

The 21-year-old, currently on loan at Hull City in the Championship, missed his parent club's shock defeat to FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday night as he was playing the video game.

Powell made just two appearances for Louis van Gaal's side this season, playing a total of only 37 minutes for the club this season - he was a surprising substitute when the club were facing a Champions League exit at Wolfsburg in December.

Bought from Crewe Alexandria in a deal worth up to £6million on 2012, Powell joined Hull on deadline day but admitted he wasn't watching as Manchester United fell to a 2-1 defeat, but did say that his senior colleagues should have been better.

"No, I completely forgot - I was playing FIFA if I was honest. I did read the reports and, I don't know, it's hard," he told Press Association.

"They're under pressure because the gaffer has come out and said it's the best way to qualify for the Champions League next year. They've had so many injuries, with Wazza [Wayne Rooney] going out and David [De Gea] was injured before the game.

"There's no excuse - they should've won, but that's just the way it is."

Hull face Arsenal on Saturday in the FA Cup and manager Steve Bruce expects Powell to make his debut for the side.

"Nick will definitely play," said Bruce. "o be fair to Nick, he came here with a bit of an injury but he has now trained for ten days.

"When you look at a game like we had on Tuesday night against Brighton, Nick could be just the type of player we're looking for and he will have a big part to play in the coming weeks. I've told him that.

"He's versatile and can play as a striker or as a midfielder and I'm sure he can give us that bit of impetus.

"He'll definitely play on Saturday , as will all of the ones who haven't been playing recently."

There's no excuse, they should have won"