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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has never hidden from criticism since taking over at Manchester United.
So you have to accept that you are entirely to blame for United not securing their place in the round of 16 with a game to spare.
Only he knows why Solskjaer did not replace Fred at halftime, with the midfielder destined to earn the red card he eventually did in the second half.
But with United reduced to 10 men for the final 20 minutes, a minute after going 2-1 down, their hopes of getting something out of the game were gone with Fred’s forced exit.
An experienced and high-level coach would not have allowed Fred to leave for the second half, given the danger that the midfielder had experienced in the first 45 minutes.
He should have been sent off for a header on Leandro Paredes in the 20th minute, but somehow escaped with a yellow, then continued to live on the edge with a series of reckless challenges.
(Image: REUTERS)
PSG players sensed the possibility of expelling Fred and did their best to do so, although the Brazilian managed to reach the break.
That should have been the signal for Solskjaer to replace him, with Nemanja Matic, Donny van de Beek and Paul Pogba at his disposal.
But, inexplicably, he decided against it and United paid the price.
(Image: REUTERS)
United must now get at least one point from RB Leipzig next Tuesday to advance to the round of 16. A defeat in Germany would see Solskjaer’s team relegated to the Europa League.
A point here would have secured United’s place in the knockout stage and ensured that there was no pressure to travel to Leipizig for the final group match.
But now they have it all to do in the last game of the group stage in Germany, against one of the semi-finalists they defeated last season.
United beat Leipzig 5-0 at Old Trafford last month, but even Solskjaer admitted it was a flattering scoreboard, and next week will be a much more difficult task.
(Image: REUTERS)
Here United made the worst possible start, falling behind after six minutes, their defensive shortcomings brutally exposed by PSG’s marauding attack.
Kylian Mbappé and Neymar exchanged passes, the former’s shot deflecting into the path of the latter, who delivered a clinical shot at an angle past David De Gea.
(Image: PA)
Then came the flash point between Fred and Paredes, the latter apparently being shown a red card, only for referee Daniele Orsato to check the courtside monitor and produce a yellow.
PSG seemed to lose their way with the decision, United capitalizing on their good luck in the 32nd minute, with Marcus Rashford equalizing with a deflected shot.
United should have taken the lead after the restart, Cavani and Rashford teamed up superbly, only for Martial to fire his high shot at the Stretford End.
Cavani then hit the bar with a chip that defeated Navas, and the ball eventually fell to Martial, whose effort was blocked.
Marquinhos put the visitors ahead again in the 69th minute, directing the ball to De Gea from very close.
(Image: Getty Images)
A minute later and Fred was out, a second yellow card for another awkward challenge, although he seemed to have the ball.
With 10 men United could not find a route back to the game, Neymar claimed his second goal of the night in overtime.
Solskjaer must now hope that his team can get the result it needs in Germany next week.
If not, tonight’s investigation will be long and painful, with the accusing finger pointing directly at him.
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