Manchester United footballer Nick Powell was playing Fifa 16 while his team lost to FC Midtjylland

You might expect that Manchester United loanee Nick Powell felt devastated watching his parent club's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Danish minnows FC Midtjylland in the first leg of their Europa League tie.

Well thank goodness for catch-up TV, because Powell has admitted that he was actually playing Fifa 16 while his team suffered an ignominious defeat inside the 11,800-capacity MCH Arena in Herning, Denmark, on 18 February.

The ex-Crewe Alexandra footballer, who made two appearances for Louis van Gaal's side before joining Hull City on 1 February, told PA Sport:

"No, I completely forgot – I was playing FIFA, if I'm honest. I did read the reports and, I don't know, it's hard. 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."

That did not stop Powell offering his critique on the performance however stating: "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."

Powell, currently rated at 69 on Fifa 16 (who at least we now know is a Fifa fan rather than a Pro Evolution Soccer player), should probably clear his schedule for 25 February when Manchester United host the return leg at Old Trafford.

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