Manchester United 0-2 Paris: Champions League at a glance
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
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Paris condemned Manchester United to their heaviest ever home defeat in Europe.
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All you need to know in 60 seconds ...
Paris are in charge of their round of 16 tie against Manchester United after an impressive second-half display at Old Trafford. Kylian Mbappé shot wide with the only notable chance of the opening period, and again went close to breaking the deadlock after the interval when his header was turned behind by David de Gea.
Former United forward Ángel Di María delivered the subsequent corner and Presnel Kimpembe ghosted in at the back post to register his maiden senior goal. Di María also laid on the visitors' second, Mbappé perfectly positioned to side-foot his cross past De Gea. Mbappé might have iced the cake when clean through, but Paul Pogba's late red card nevertheless compounded United's misery.
View from the stadium: Matthew Howarth
United were first to every loose ball in the early exchanges, but the confidence they have acquired since Ole Gunnar Solskjær's appointment seemed to evaporate in an instant following Kimpembe's opener.
Paris were ruthless thereafter and could easily have emerged with more than a two-goal cushion. Yes, it would be foolish to completely write off Solskjær's team – the injuries to Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard definitely affected them – but it's hard to see any way back for them in the French capital next month.
Man of the match: Marco Verratti
Long feared to be unavailable for this game, Verratti showed exactly why he is so important to Paris in Europe. The Italian only returned from an ankle injury at the weekend, but his technique, dynamism and composure gave Paris the upper hand in the midfield battle.
While his slick passing stitched the visitors' play together, he also displayed bravery in defence, blocking an Ander Herrera shot just before he was forced to make way. United simply could not match his influence.
Key stats
- This is the first time in their history that United have lost a European home fixture by more than a single goal.
- This marks Solskjær's first defeat since taking caretaker charge of United; he had won ten and drawn one since his appointment in December.
- Prior to Tuesday, Paris had won just once in ten visits to England (D4 L5).
- Mbappé has scored three in four games in England, finding the net on his last three trips.
- United had scored in their last 17 matches in all competitions prior to this.
- Gianluigi Buffon has now kept 50 UEFA Champions League clean sheets.
What does it mean?
United – and their interim manager – are no strangers to dramatic comebacks, but the Red Devils have never overturned a first-leg home defeat to win a tie in Europe. Furthermore, Paris have not lost a UEFA Champions League home game since this time last year, when they were already trailing Real Madrid 3-1 from the first leg.
What's next?
United face a tough test at Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday, before potentially playing a pivotal role in this season's Premier League title race when they host Liverpool on 24 February.
Three games in seven days offer Paris the chance to extend their ten-point lead at the Ligue 1 summit, with an assignment at St-Étienne on Sunday followed by the visits of Montpellier (20/02) and Nîmes (23/02) to the capital.