PSG pay United back in the champions league, with interest as they beat the red devils 3-1 at Old Trafford
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| Neymar Jr celebrates after his brace helped PSG past United at Old Trafford on Wednesday. (Photo credit: Goal.com) |
Manchester United went to Parc de Princes and ran out 2-1 winners to open their 2020/21 UEFA champions league account but PSG paid back in full at Old Trafford, with extra cents.
The French champions had been on the brink of elimination following a shambolic start to their campaign – two losses to United at home and away to Leipzig handed them three points from a possible nine.
A situation that left Thomas Tuchel under intense pressure but the German tactician has effectively turned things around.
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer handed a start to weekend super hero, Edison Cavani and David De Gea returned in goal despite going off injured in their comeback win over Southampton in the premier league, there was also a starting berth for Fred, their standout player in the reverse fixture.
Manchester United went into the Champions League game at Old Trafford, knowing a draw would be enough for them to advance into the next stage.
Indeed, they had the chance to wrap up the game with a series of chances but came back to rue each of them as PSG rallied with two goals later in the second half.
It took just six seconds for the visitors to register their intent as Neymar fired in to beat De Gea at his near post off a deflected effort from Kilian Mbappe.
The strike sprung the Champions League tie to life with both sides having chances to score but PSG had the best of them.
That was followed by a controversial incident involving the VAR, Fred was involved with Leandro Paredes in an off the ball, head-to-head incident and it was a surprise that the United midfielder only got a yellow.
The pair went into a strong challenge shortly after with the referee booking the man in white, again begging for answers as to why it wasn’t the man in red.
Fred flirted with expulsion again afterward and it was a huge surprise that Ole Gunnar Solksjaer left the Brazilian on the pitch, he paid for it.
United had lots of chances in the game, Anthony Martial missed from close range when it was easier to score just three minutes into the second half
The home side had drawn level just after the half-hour mark, a Marcus Rashford effort was deflected home past Keylor Navas by Danilo and it felt like the home side found their mojo but it was the visitors that took the lead again in the second half before Fred got his marching orders.
Cavani was sent through and launched an audacious chip over the advancing Navas but the ball struck the crossbar, Martial's follow-up shot was brilliantly blocked by Marquinhos.
It fell apart for the hosts soon afterward, a badly cleared corner-kick was turned home by Marquinhos and Fred got sent off shortly after that for a forgivable stamp on former Manchester United midfielder, Ander Herrera but you’ll wonder if he should have been on the pitch at the time.
Man United didn’t bounce back from that, the scoreline was identical to the one at Parc Des Princes until Rafinha found Neymar in the box for a simple tap in with Harry Maguire watching helplessly on the wet grass as the ball strolled in for a deserving interest on the first leg result.
The result meant United must beat Leipzig in Germany if they want
to win the group or at least pick a point to advance to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
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