Paul Pogba dedicates Europa League final victory to victims of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack

Immediately after Manchester United's 2-0 win against Ajax in Stockholm, Pogba dedicated the performance to those who lost their lives in the horrific attack on Monday night

Pogba opened the scoring in United's comfortable 2-0 win (Getty)

Paul Pogba and Juan Mata have dedicated Manchester United’s Europa League final win to those who lost their lives in Monday night’s terror attack on the city, claiming that the club “played for those who died”.

United beat Ajax 2-0 in the final of the tournament, with Pogba scoring the opening goal before Henrikh Mkhitaryan doubled the club’s advantage in the second-half.

It was an emotional night for both the club and the city, less than 48 hours after a horrendous terror attack at the Manchester Arena, which left 22 dead.

And after the match, Pogba immediately dedicated United’s triumph to those who lost their lives.

“We know things like this are very sad, all over the world. In London and Paris,” he told BT Sport after the match.

“We had to focus, it was very important. We won for Manchester, we worked for them, for the country. We play for England, for Manchester and for the people who died.”

His team-mate, Juan Mata, also said that the players were happy to win for Manchester “and all the people that have suffered”.

“We have won a trophy the club has never won so we are really happy,” the Spaniard added.

“It means a lot as it is my first European trophy with United and after what happened yesterday it is nice to bring a trophy back for Manchester.

“It has been a really difficult week in the city of Manchester and we are happy to win for all the people that have suffered.”


 Mata also paid his respects to the victims of the attack 
 (Getty)

Ander Herrera was another player to speak movingly after the match. He also dedicated the performance to victims of the atrocity.

“I want to dedicate the trophy to the victims,” man of the match Herrera told reporters shortly after the win.

“This is just football but what happened on Monday was horrible. We want peace in the world and respect. This happened in Manchester but everywhere we have to be a united world to fight for peace and to have no more attacks.

“Yesterday morning we were devastated and really sad," added the Spaniard, who has developed into one of Jose Mourinho's most valuable players this campaign, his third at United, and has won the admiration of supporters for his dedication to the side.

“It was difficult to train yesterday but the manager told us is that the only thing we could do is win this for them.”

Rashford and Herrera embrace upon the full-time whistle (Getty)

The former Manchester United midfielder David Beckham meanwhile paid tribute to those who lost their lives immediately after the match.

“Tonight was more important than sport,” he wrote on his Instagram page.

“Yes a big night for Manchester United but an even bigger night for the city and for our country.

“At a time when we are grieving for the families that have lost loved ones we have a sport that has bought a little happiness at a difficult time.”