PSG vs Manchester United: 3 things to look out for | Champions League 2018/19
At the final whistle of the first leg at Old Trafford, Manchester had been conquered by the Parisian phalanx of menacing Mbappe and disquieting Di Maria. The fallout was scathing and ruthless.
A reality check is what the defeat was labeled and broadcast as. For Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it was an eye-opener to realize the gulf between the fallen giant playing in their sacred cathedral and the European football elite of Paris.
A lot has transpired since the fateful night and the pitchforks are out again. The equation has been rendered even more precarious in the following three weeks. A 2 goal away deficit, suspended talisman (Pogba), absent ammunition (details below) and unforgiving fixture congestion, all have colored the horizon rather dark for United and their intrepid manager.
PSG have not been imperious in the last few games but they do not need to be as the domestic competition is not a worthy challenge or priority. They save their best for the hallowed nights of Champions League football and their home record is one that is formidable.
The showdown at Parc Des Princes is geared up to be a battle of styles and culture. When the night sky descends, the stars of football-verse will take to the grass and scintillate 'La Ville Lumiere'.
Here is a look at three things that Manchester United and its legion of devotees will look to do to inspire and rally the players for an unforgettable European away night:
The Reserve
With the first leg at Old Trafford having its fair share of injury headlines, the return leg will only multiply the apprehensive fantasy team picks. PSG will be without Neymar and probably Cavani not that it caused a dent in their plan to dominate the play at Old Trafford.
But it is the Reds from Manchester who travel to Paris with a squad of second choices and academy tyros. With as many as 10 first teamers on the sidelines or in the physio’s room, their squad is ravaged to the bones.
Sanchez is the latest casualty joining the ranks of Martial, Lingard, Herrera, Matic and Pogba (suspended) who have been the designated bulwark to assault the opponents in the last two months. None of them will be available on Wednesday.
Rashford will likely spearhead the attack with Lukaku. United will be looking for a continuation of the resurgence shown by the likes of McTominay and Pereira. First team debut for Mason Greenwood and European debuts for Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong will be one of Ole’s strategies to surprise the Parisian giants.