Terror attacks not Islam, says Manchester United star Pogba

The world's most expensive footballer Paul Pogba says the four terror attacks that have killed dozens and left scores injured in England this year have nothing to do with religion.

The 24-year-old Manchester United star - who is Muslim and went on a pilgrimage to Makkah after the end of the season - told the latest issue of Esquire magazine people must not give in to terror.

The French international - who also lost his father Fassou in May - was inspirational in the Europa League final that took place two days after a suicide bomber blew himself up at the end of a pop concert at the Manchester Arena.

United beat Ajax 2-0 with Pogba, who scored the second, dedicating the victory to the 22 victims and the scores who were injured.

"It's a very difficult moment but you cannot give up. We can't let them get in our heads - we have to fight for it," he said.

"Sad things happen in life but you cannot stop living. You cannot kill a human being. To kill a human being - it's something crazy, so I don't want to put religion on it.

"This is not Islam and everybody knows that. I won't be the only one saying that."

Pogba, who also won the League Cup in his first season back at United, said he drew his sense of fun from his father, who died aged 79.

"When you lose someone you love, you don't think the same way," he said.

"That's why I say I enjoy life, because it goes very fast.

"I remember when I was talking to my dad and now he's not here.

"He was a very strong man, very stubborn as well. He fought, but at his age it's not easy.

"Every time you had time with him you were laughing. Very clever as well, because he was a professor. You have to remember the happy things."

On the footballing side Pogba said that criticism of his performances in not living up to the weight of being the most expensive player in the sport was water off a duck's back.

Source: Khaleej Times