Manchester United 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain
Paris St Germain won a priceless victory over Manchester United tonight, a result which puts the Parisians in pole position for a place in the last 16.
There was no question that Champions League: Manchester United vs PSG would be packed with action. The Red Devils needed just a point to qualify for the knockout phase, while PSG were looking for a win which would put them in control. And it was a high octane, end to end affair, with plenty of spice. Marcus Rashford equalised after Neymar had given the visitors an early lead before Marquinhos popped up to give PSG the lead, and Neymar wrapped things up in injury time.
The result leaves the Group H table congested at the top with these two teams locked on nine points along with Red Bull Leipzig, who beat Istanbul tonight thanks to a 92nd minute winner courtesy of Aleksander Sorloth.
Highlights of the game
PSG opened up with all guns blazing and they had a perfect start when Neymar gave them a lead in the sixth minute. Kylian Mbappe picked up the ball in midfield and made headway towards the United penalty area before Harry Maguire blocked his advance, only for the ball to loop up towards Neymar and he hit a superb half-volley home from a tight angle.
The Manchester United vs PSG betting odds backed the Ligue 1 champions to edge the game and they looked well in control as Neymar tried to double the lead with a spectacular overhead kick. And the Red Devils were lucky to keep 11 men on the pitch when Fred clashed with Leandro Paredes, but when he pushed his head into the midfielder he somehow escaped with a yellow card.
PSG head coach Thomas Tuchel was a frustrated figure on the touchline as Fred could easily have been sent off, and he was furious on the half hour when the Red Devils drew level with more than a touch of luck. After good work from Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Rashford hit a week shot from around 20 yards and as Keylor Navas waited for the ball to arrive, Abdou Diallo stuck out a leg and it rolled gently past the wrong-footed keeper.
The pre-match Manchester United vs PSG news had Edinson Cavani at the top of the agenda, particularly in the UK where his two late goals won the Red Devils a five goal thriller against Southampton. And he made a start tonight though we hardly saw him in the first half, but he almost created something at the start of the second, with a brilliant flick to free Rashford. His cross was inch perfect but Anthony Martial hoofed it over the bar from six yards.
PSG threw players forward in search of the win but United, always dangerous on the break, were inches away when Cavani lifted a beautiful chip over Navas only to see the ball bounce back off the crossbar. As this terrific game gathered pace, Alessandro Florenzi crossed for Marquinhos and his header clipped the bar. PSG were turning the screw and De Gea made a brilliant save to deny Neymar, but he was beaten on 69 minutes when United failed to clear a corner and Marquinhos poked home from close range.
Fred saw the red card he evaded in the first half, and this time he was unlucky as he played the ball in a tackle on Ander Herrera, but the ref didn’t like it and sent the midfielder off.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer threw on Paul Pogba to replace the injured Rashford and he went close with a sweetly hit shot, but Neymar took the game away from United finishing off a brilliant team move.
Key statistics
PSG have been in patchy form recently but they were the better side tonight by a margin. Here at SBOTOP we had the Ligue 1 side at 2.40 to win and they were good value.
Neymar was outstanding, and his two goals tonight mean he’s had a direct hand in 62 goals (including assists) from 64 appearances in the Champions League, while Rashford has scored six goals from his last five Champions League appearances.
In competitive clashes the away side has won all of the last four meetings between United and PSG.
What’s next?
Manchester United are up to ninth in the Premier League table and have a crunch match away to West Ham on Saturday. Former Red Devils boss David Moyes has made a good start this season after keeping the Hammers up in 2019/20 and he’s set to sign an extended contract with the East London club.
Then the Red Devils head to their final Champions League group game away to Red Bull Leipzig and what a match that promises to be!
Thomas Tuchel take PSG to Montpellier hoping to get their league form back on track. They sit at the top of Ligue 1, but just two points clear of four teams, including their hosts who have won their last four league games and will fancy taking the biggest scalp of all.
Then it’s back to Champions League action next week when Istanbul Buyuksehir visit the Parc des Princes for the Group H finale, and that shod see PSG through to the last 16.
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