Manchester United are understood to be helping their players bolster their home security after Paul Pogba became the latest victim of a cowardly burglary.
Pogba’s home was burgled on Tuesday while he was busy playing for the club against Atletico Madrid at Old Trafford. The midfielder’s two children were sleeping inside the property at the time and Pogba said the incident had left his family shaken.
"Last night our family's worst nightmare was realized when our home was broken into and burglarized while our babies were sleeping in their bedroom,” he wrote on social media. “The burglars were in our home for less than five minutes but in that time they took from us something more valuable than anything we had in our home... our sense of safety and security.
"This occurred during the final minutes of last night's match when they knew that we would not be home. My wife and I rushed home not knowing if our children were safe and unharmed.
“As a father there is no feeling worse in this world than not being there to protect your children and I sincerely hope that no one ever has to feel what I felt last night. It is for this reason that I would like to offer a reward for anyone who has a clue to help us. Please send any info to rewardpogba@gmail.com."
According to the Manchester Evening News , the burglary has prompted United to work with players to review and strengthen their home security. Victor Lindelof was also the victim of a burglary in January, with thieves targeting the defender’s home while he was playing for United against Brentford.
Lindelof’s wife, Maja, was alone with their three-year-old boy Ted Louie and baby Francis when the criminals broke into the couple’s home. Maja described the experience as “very traumatic and scary” and was so shaken she decided to take the couple’s children to Sweden to recover.
United are not the only club to be targeted by thieves, with Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo suffering facial injuries during a violent break-in in December. Reports at the time said players were hiring former special forces soldiers to guard their homes while away with work.
Clubs right across the north west of England set up a discussion group to share information on the best ways to combat the criminals. Players have bought specially-trained guard dogs, while the ex-SAS soldiers are being employed to patrol problem areas as well as sit inside homes to protect them from criminal gangs.
Both Manchester clubs have spoken to their players about the growing problem, while Everton , Liverpool and Burnley are all part of the ongoing discussion. Clubs have deliberately stopped sharing with the media specific information about players’ movements on away trips in efforts to curb the worrying trend.
