PSG 1-2 Man Utd: 5 talking points as Marcus Rashford scores another winner in Paris

For Marcus Rashford and Manchester United, it was a case of deja vu in Paris.

The excellent goal from the English striker gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side the victory to kick off their Champions League campaign in the best possible way with a 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain.

United took the lead midway through the first half from the penalty spot, after Abdou Diallo fouled Anthony Martial.

The first effort by Bruno Fernandes was saved by Keylor Navas, only for the Costa Rican to have deviated from his line; Fernandes, who missed the weekend against Newcastle, was not wrong on his second attempt.

PSG weren’t at their best and Thomas Tuchel threw on Everton’s loan officer Moise Kean at halftime to offer more attacking threat, but it was Kylian Mbappé who almost tied, rejected by a good save from David de Gea.

Rashford spoiled his pass when he and Martial went two-on-one shortly after, before the Frenchman headed a Neymar corner kick into his own net after 55 minutes, giving the hosts below par a draw.

Both teams had a chance to win in the end, with United continually causing problems on the counterattack after Solskjaer’s decision to eliminate rookie Alex Telles and bring in Paul Pogba.

And just when it looked like they had to settle for a point in Paris, Rashford clinically fired into the bottom corner to hand the Red Devils a victory they ultimately deserved.

1. Solskjaer changes group

Without Harry Maguire and with his defense under fire, Solskjaer returned to a three behind in his quest to keep Neymar and Mbappé calm.

That saw Alex Telles start on the left back, Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right, with Luke Shaw and Axel Tuanzebe on either side of Victor Lindelof.

It’s a formation that Solskjaer used wisely during his initial stint in charge, particularly in the 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but has only been used occasionally since Maguire’s £ 80 million arrival from Leicester.

But with United wanting to displace Neymar, Mbappé and Angel Di María, it made sense to go for a back five, with Fred and Scott McTominay protecting.

The PSG forward trio could not find space between the lines and therefore had to continually sink to receive possession; by the time they were facing goal, they often had four or five players between them and David de Gea.

It was the kind of tactical ability, especially from a defensive point of view that we don’t associate so easily with the Norwegian.

Unfortunately, United’s No. 9 broke what had been a smart and effective resistance.

But then things changed. Pogba came in, a sort of 5-2-2-1 formation turned into 4-2-2-2, and United created one opportunity after another.

And thankfully, United’s No. 10 sent home a brilliant winner.

2. Captain Fernandes sets the tone

In Maguire’s absence, Solskjaer handed the armband to the Portuguese midfielder, prompting Rio Ferdinand to comment before the match: He hasn’t even been here a year, but he came in and was told he’s the captain of the night because Maguire isn’t here. .

“That tells you one, about him and his personality and also about the team. They don’t have the players who are going to intervene and play that role.”

Now ignore what Ferdinand said about the team and focus on the personality line.

Time and again it has become clear how much Fernandes has demanded of both himself and his teammates since he arrived. And time and time again, he has delivered.

At the Parc des Princes, he showed his character once again.

Having missed from the penalty spot against Newcastle, his first shooting error since arriving at Old Trafford, he saw his first effort stopped by Navas here.

However, when the rerun was ordered, he had no intention of handing over responsibility; Instead, he grabbed the bull by the horns again, stood up, rolled coldly home, and handed the leash to his side.

It was another example of him setting the example and he did so throughout the French capital, continuously acting as a point of reference for his team in possession, and also working without the ball.

De Gea offers answers

If Dean Henderson wasn’t fully aware of the level he needs to reach to be United’s No. 1 yet, then De Gea showed it here.

The Spaniard was at the top of his game, returning to something like his prime.

He made a series of impressive saves, a brilliant reactionary effort early on to deny a close-range effort, another full stop to deny Mbappé early in the second period, he controlled his area well and showed good handling amid a downpour of Paris.

Very good night on an individual level.

4. PSG too smart for its own good

PSG are capable of matching the best in Europe, as demonstrated by their run towards the end of last season and their performance against Bayern Munich in Lisbon.

But when they, and by them, I mean their main talents, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, choose to indulge themselves early on, slowing down the game and giving too many touches, they hurt themselves.

Les Parisiens are in their moment when they attack in waves, when the pass is short and abrupt, when they play through opponents; when Mbappé gets behind and Neymar gets into the spaces.

They didn’t do that here. Not even remotely.

5. The return of Tuanzebe

It is easy to see why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is so interested in offering Axel Tuanzebe the opportunity to make a future for himself.

After 12 months of injury, the 22-year-old was thrown into the heart of the defense and tasked with going head-to-head with Mbappe at all times.

He brings extra speed to United’s bottom line and showed his recovery pace in a pair of 30-40-yard sprints against the French phenomenon, winning both times.

If your injury woes are behind you, then if you put on regular performances like this, there’s no reason why you won’t be a first-team regular anytime soon.

Who will win the Champions League? Give your opinion in the comments below.

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