Manchester United v Paris preview: all you need to know
Monday, February 11, 2019
Article summary
A resurgent Manchester United welcome injury-hit Paris to Old Trafford – here's all you need to know.
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- FOLLOW LIVE BUILD-UP FROM MANCHESTER
- Neymar, Cavani and Meunier ruled out for Paris
- United unbeaten in 11 games under Solskjær
- Solskjær: Paris injuries make them unpredictable
- VAR has been introduced for round of 16
Reporter's view (Matthew Howarth, UEFA.com): Since Ole Gunnar Solskjær's arrival on 19 December, United have claimed more league wins than in the first four months of the campaign under José Mourinho.
The gloom that shrouded the club during the latter stages of the Portuguese's reign has been replaced by optimism and excitement, but the visit of Paris represents the toughest test yet for the Red Devils' interim boss. Victory would strengthen his case to be appointed permanently.
Possible line-ups
Man. United: De Gea; Young, Lindelöf, Jones, Shaw; Herrera, Matić, Pogba; Lingard, Rashford, Martial
Out: Darmian (knock), Valencia (muscular)
Doubtful: Rojo (knee)
Misses next game if booked: Matić, Valencia
Paris: Buffon; Kehrer, Thiago Silva, Kimpembe, Bernat; Marquinhos, Verratti; Dani Alves, Draxler, Di María; Mbappé
Out: Neymar (foot), Cavani (hip), Meunier (concussion)
Misses next game if booked: Kehrer, Neymar, Verratti
Key battle
Pogba v Verratti: United are oozing confidence from every pore at the moment, but the biggest swagger of all belongs to Paul Pogba. Rejuvenated under Solskjær, the France midfielder has swiftly morphed into the talisman that United thought came ready-made back in summer 2016. Do Paris possess the midfield acumen to stifle United's orchestrator? Can Marco Verratti impose his own veritable talents on the game or will he and his team-mates be left chasing shadows?
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Form guide
Man. United
Latest: Fulham 0-3 United (09/02)
Form: WWDWWWWWWW (all competitions, most recent first)
Paris
Latest: Paris 1-0 Bordeaux (09/02)
Form: WWLWWWWLWW
Ole Gunnar Solskjær, United interim manager
Both the supporters and the players have been looking forward to this because they are special nights. So I want my players to go into this game confident and embrace it.
Any team that are missing players will feel the effect but that will give the others the chance. So it makes them more unpredictable, but we've got a good guesstimate of how they're preparing for the game.
We've given ourselves the best possible opportunity because of the way we've come into this game. We're confident and we're looking like a team. If there was ever a time to go into big games, it's now.
Thomas Tuchel, Paris coach
As Paris, we're used to playing offensively and creating chances. It's our DNA and changing that is difficult. There will be moments when we'll defend because I expect a very attacking Manchester, very brave, with many attacking players. We're here to score goals.
[Since Solskjær arrived] United are totally different. They play with a lot of confidence. They score lots of goals, take the lead early and are on an impressive run. Playing them now is one of the toughest challenge we can have. Over 180 minutes it's 50-50; tomorrow they are at home so I'm not sure it's 50-50.
