Solskjaer admits that Fred was ‘lucky’ not to see red for a header, but defends the decision not to replace him

Manchester United’s Champions League hopes are on the line after losing at home to a Neymar-inspired Paris Saint-Germain on a night that Fred saw red.

The 3-1 loss at Old Trafford means United will now travel to RB Leipzig next Tuesday with the top three teams at Group H level with nine points heading into the final round of matches.

“We have to dust ourselves off and be ready for Leipzig,” coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.

Fred received a second yellow card when he played the ball on an tackle to Ander Herrera

‘We know that our destiny is in our own hands. We are playing in a good team, but we are also becoming a better team. ”

Solskjaer faced doubts about his decision to keep Fred on the field despite the Brazilian being lucky enough to escape a red card for appearing to head butt Leandro Paredes and a second yellow for a strong tackle on Herrera.

Fred was eventually sent off by Italian referee Daniele Orsato in the 70th minute when he was severely reprimanded for fouling his former United teammate Ander Herrera.

Fred (not pictured) received a red card for a second yellow offense in the second half

“I thought he was lucky to stay when the referee decided to give him something,” Solskjaer admitted.

Fred shouldn’t tilt his head towards him. I don’t think I touched it, but you’re not like that. He was a bit lucky. Either it’s nothing or a red card.

“ We talked about staying calm and keeping your feet and the second yellow was not even close to a foul, and Ander knows it too.

It was not a fault. Fred played very disciplined in the second half, but when he makes a light tackle, you can’t blame the boy.

Video replays showed Fred headbutting PSG’s Leandro Paredes in Wednesday’s clash

Paredes falls clutching his face, but Fred avoided an expulsion despite a VAR referral

When asked if he regretted not making a change when Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Donny van de Beek were on the bench, the United manager replied: ‘There was no reason for his performance to remove him.

“ He was lucky to stay in the first half, but that had nothing to do with the referee making a mistake there.

‘I thought Fred kept his head exceptionally well in the second half. In hindsight, having 11 men would have been better, but who can say?

Solskjaer refused to criticize Herrera but Paredes was guilty of falling too easily and there was more theatricality when he faced Scott McTominay.

The Brazilian was involved in a battle on foot with the PSG midfielder during the first half.

“Scott could have fallen when Neymar grabbed his soft parts, but I don’t want them too,” Solskjaer said.

“We have seen players at Old Trafford fall too easily when touched.” United captain Harry Maguire took pity on his teammate and said: ‘It’s strange how he gave a yellow card [in the first half].

Either it’s a red card or nothing. It’s not a yellow card [in the second half]. Win the ball. He was two yards away, the linesman was five yards away. Every time you go to the flat, especially in Europe, you get a reservation. ‘ The decision also stumped PSG coach Thomas Tuchel.

“From the bench I had the impression that he gave Paredes a header,” said the PSG coach.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer refused to criticize PSG theater

‘Then there was the confirmation with the VAR and after that I was very surprised. For me, there were only two options: he didn’t touch it or he did and it’s a red card.

‘I was a little worried that we might lose our minds. I’m happy that we won and I don’t have to discuss these decisions for long. ‘ There was another blow for United when Marcus Rashford walked away with a recurrence of a shoulder injury.

“Let’s see how quickly he recovers,” Solskjaer said. “Hopefully he’s ready for the weekend, but we don’t know.”