Nick Powell: I forgot Manchester United game, I was playing Fifa

Manchester United’s Europa League defeat in Denmark was even more of a shock to Nick Powell, who spent his evening playing Fifa unaware his paymasters were in action.

Just 10 weeks ago, the 21-year-old came off the bench as Louis van Gaal’s side were knocked out of the Champions League with a 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg.

A further substitute appearance at United followed before Powell moved on loan to Hull, for whom he will make his debut in today’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Arsenal.

It is clearly a case of out of sight out of mind for the midfielder, who — perhaps fortunately — forgot parent club United were in action against FC Midtjylland on Thursday and instead took to his games console.

“No, I completely forgot — I was playing Fifa, if I was honest,” Powell said, when asked if he watched the 2-1 loss in the Europa League last-32.

“I completely forgot about until I went on Fifa online with some friends from back home,” Powell said about the 2-1 loss to FC Midtjylland.

“They said ‘did you see the United score?’ and I was like ‘why? who did they play?’ Then I realised they had the Europa.

“To be fair, I was shocked that they lost 2-1. No offence to the team they played — I can’t pronounce their name and I do not know who they are.

“I feel bad for the team, considering the pressure they are under and how they must have felt during the game.

“I just think United are going through such a bad time that any little bad thing becomes a massive thing.

“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 have have won, but that’s just the way it is.”

It was an unusual admission from Powell — one which former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce laughed off as “typical Nick”.

The Hull boss is looking forward to seeing the attacking midfielder make his bow today and the player himself cannot wait to take to the Emirates Stadium turf.

Injuries and a lack of game-time has frustrated Powell in recent years, leading some to write off a player who does not even turn 22 until next month.

“I am massively determined to impress,” he said, having recently overcome a hamstring complaint.

“I haven’t played a proper game in about two years.

“Don’t get me wrong, I came on against Wolfsburg and Bournemouth but with 20 minutes here and there, you can’t showcase what you want to show everyone.”