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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returns to the scene of his most famous triumph on Tuesday night as Manchester United make their long-awaited return to the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Norwegian sealed his long-term future at Old Trafford with an incredible 3-1 victory at the Parc des Princes in March 2019, when the club legend rallied a group of disillusioned players left by José Mourinho for a great victory.
United returning to Paris is very much Solskjaer’s side and the task couldn’t be much greater as the Red Devils look to start their Champions League journey with a win over last season’s finalists. Sportsmail compares the likely starting lineups for the clash in the French capital.
Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Keylor Navas: He started the season strong with four clean sheets of five, letting in a consolation goal in a 6-1 win over Angers. The Costa Rican’s role at the all-conquering Real Madrid was often overlooked, but his knowledge will be largely depended on as inexperienced Parisians seek to clinch the elusive Champions League title. 8/10
Defending
Alessandro Florenzi: The Italian’s loan change from Roma was a surprise this summer, but the 29-year-old has adjusted well to life in the French capital. The right-back has already scored two goals in five games and will pose a threat to United’s left-back. 7/10
Marquinhos: After several years under the wing of Thiago Silva, Marquinhos has stepped out of the shadow of the Brazilian to take the bracelet by the side of Thomas Tuchel. The 26-year-old’s natural leadership will be an integral part of PSG’s challenge for top honors in Europe. The cornerstone of the team’s impressive defense. 8/10
Presnel Kimpembe: The French international has big shoes to fill after Silva’s departure, and has improved after a shaky start to the season. The 25-year-old was involved in the French champions’ first two league losses of the season, but looks much more confident with Marquinhos by his side. 6/10
Layvin Kurzawa: A fight between the Frenchman and the young Mitchel Bakker, who has substituted admirably while Kurzawa has been suspended for his role in the ugly fight against Marseille. However, Tuchel is likely to opt for the 28-year-old’s experience, having appeared in the finale last season. 6/10
Midfield
Ander Herrera: A player whose importance was not fully appreciated by Manchester United until he left Old Trafford and went to Paris for free a year ago. The pace of work and the quality of the Spanish with the ball make him an essential figure for Tuchel, who has turned to the 31-year-old in every game this season. Herrera will undoubtedly seek revenge against his former club. 8/10
Leandro Paredes: Like Bakker and Kimpembe, Paredes is another of the stars of PSG who remains a mystery. The Argentine was a key part of the team’s run towards the end of last season, but it feels like he has yet to be announced on the European stage. 7/10
Marco Verratti: The longest-serving player in this starting XI, but at 27, the Italian still has a lot to accomplish with the French giants. Having survived under a legion of different managers says a lot for Verratti’s ability, and his leadership will be called upon on this season’s journey. 7/10
Attack
Angel Di Maria: After his tumultuous spell at Old Trafford, all seemed lost for a totally devoid of confidence, trampled on by a coach at Louis van Gaal who had no faith in him. But moving to Paris has rejuvenated Di Maria, who has proven to be an important component of the team’s impressive three forwards. He has one goal and two assists in four games this season. 8/10
Kylian Mbappé – A man who will undoubtedly give United defenders a restless night’s sleep before Tuesday’s decisive clash. When he’s in shape, there aren’t many attackers at the level of Mbappé in world football. Unusually, he missed a host of glorious opportunities in the finale last season, but this season he will seek revenge. He has four goals and four assists in four games. 9/10
Neymar: No one will suffer more from last season’s agonizing defeat than the Brazilian, who is desperate to hand over the Champions League trophy many expected when he arrived from Barcelona for 198 million pounds. Two goals and one assist in three appearances suggest that the Brazilian is serious. 8/10
Manager
Thomas Tuchel: You’ve earned a locker room that doesn’t take fools lightly. German is popular with players, who seem united in their determination to deliver the coveted European award. 8/10
Manchester United (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
David de Gea: Undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the world in the last five years, but he has lost the advantage that put him above his rivals a couple of seasons ago. He will hope that Tuesday is not one of his inconsistent nights between clubs. 6/10
Defending
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: Defensively, one of the best full-backs in the Premier League, Wan-Bissaka will relish his chances of establishing a market against whoever is deployed on the left side of PSG. However, his shortcomings are exposed up front, and the youngster often finds himself failing in the attacking third. 7/10
Victor Lindelof: The Swede has all the makings of a modern quality midfielder, but has been caught on numerous occasions making mistakes that ultimately cost United. He will have to be on top of his game to keep players like Mbappé and Neymar calm in Paris. 5/10
Eric Bailly: He will likely be called in to replace Harry Maguire, who has stayed home for the trip to Paris, in what is a somewhat surprising move for a player Solskjaer is so confident about. One might think that Bailly’s pace may help quell PSG’s quick attack, although the defender’s last game in the United jersey was against Spurs; the less talked about it, the better. 5/10
Alex Telles: A pitch for Solskjaer between his new signing and Luke Shaw. It would probably be reckless to shoot the Brazilian down the back for his first outing in the red, but Shaw’s own goal against Newcastle and the lackluster start to the campaign means the former Porto player could get the nod in Paris. 7/10
Midfield
Nemanja Matic: Ruled out by a large chunk of United’s fan base but enjoyed a rebound in form after the lockout, the Serb hopes to get back to that level to win the midfield battle on Tuesday. Solskjaer will look to Matic to protect his vulnerable defensive partner in the center of the park. 6/10
Paul Pogba: A great night for the Frenchman to show that he is still one of the best midfielders in world football. The World Cup winner has had a bad start to the campaign, and doubts are growing as to whether he will ever deliver for United. He spoke of his desire to join Real Madrid last week, in a possible transfer that seems less likely as the months go by. 5/10
Bruno Fernandes: United travels to Paris thanks in large part to contributions from his arrival of £ 68 million in January. Without the performances of their Portuguese star, who has quickly become their talisman, the outlook at United would be bleak indeed. He has been the bright spark in a totally disappointing start to the season. 8/10
Attack
Mason Greenwood: He was left out of Solskjaer’s team for Newcastle and is very likely to miss out on Paris on Tuesday night. There’s no denying that Greenwood is one of the most talented stars of his age, but the attacker looks like a shadow of the player who helped propel United into the top four last season. 6/10
Anthony Martial: The Frenchman is becoming the No. 9 spot he has longed for since arriving at Old Trafford more than five years ago. There is more intelligence in their game in the center and when it is in the song United often do well. However, you need to get off the mark sooner rather than later. 7/10
Marcus Rashford: He had his best performance of the season against Newcastle on Saturday and Solskjaer will be counting on the Englishman to put on another sublime display on Tuesday. The winger will be crucial if United want to be effective in the counterattack. 8/10
Manager
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: He has been in office for about 18 months and there are questions about the Norwegian’s idea for this United team. Clearly appreciated by those in the locker room, but each defeat is often faced with concerns that the club legend will face expulsion. 6/10
VERDICT: PSG = 90/120. MAN UNITED = 76/120
While the Park of Princes will hold many happy memories for Solskjaer after that dreamy night a year and a half ago, he will need his United team to put on a dream performance if he is to emerge triumphant once again. Rashford and Fernandes will be crucial, while Lindelof and Maguire will have to chain Neymar and Mbappé.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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