Experiencing an excellent form recently, Manchester United are ready to take down Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League knockout stage. Both teams will be battling in the first leg of their tie next Tuesday at Old Trafford.
Man United will have some absentees this midweek such as Darmian, Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia due to injuries. However, Solksjaer still have more than enough options to choose from his current squad.
Marcus Rashford should be starting up front for this midweek tie, while Paul Pogba continue to lead the midfield. David De Gea is also expected to be at his best in stopping any threat from PSG’s dangerous attacking plays.
Luck still hasn’t been smiling for PSG in the competition as ahead of the important midweek tie they have some major absentees. Brazilia star, Neymar, is confirmed to be out because of his injury, while Adrian Rabiot remain frozen out by the club’s management.
Things not getting any better with recent injury to Edinson Cavani, who could also be out for the Tuesday game. Fortunately for Tuchel, Marco Veratti looks ready to battle it out from the start after recovering well from his injury.
Both teams haven’t really meet in major competition before as their recent match up happened at ICC which was won by PSG.
This upcoming two legged tie will be the first competitive encounter between Man United and Le Parisien.
The momentum seems to be shifting heavily towards Man United as since Solksjaer’s appointment they have been performing really well. It will still be a nervy encounter though for the interim manager as he hope his team can maintain their recent positive form next Tuesday.
PSG remain a tough opposition, but recent injury problems along with internal situation involving Rabiot, could be troubling them. Nevertheless, the French outfit still have enough talent to cause tons of problems for Red Devils at Old Traffrod.
Paris Saint-Germain have been dealt a further blow ahead of their Champions League last-16 clash against Manchester United with the news that Edinson Cavani will miss the game.
The Uruguayan striker limped off of PSG’s 1-0 win over Bordeaux with a thigh problem after scoring the Ligue 1 encounter’s only goal of the game, making him a doubt for Tuesday’s first-leg against United.
Coach Thomas Tuchel admitted after the game that he was “afraid it’s serious”, before providing an update on the Cavani’s condition on Sunday.
Here are the Possible lineups for both of this sides as they prepare themselves for an important Champions League first leg tie at Old Trafford.ย Let’s take a closer look at what kind of lineups and formation that they could be preparing to help them achieving their target.
Manchester United Expected Formation: 4-3-3
Probable Lineups: De Gea(g); Young, Jones, Lindelof, Shaw(def); Herrera, Matic, Pogba(mid); Lingard, Rashford, Martial(att)
Paris Saint-Germain Expected Formation: 4-2-3-1
Probable Lineups: Buffon(g); Kehrer, Kimpembe, Silva, Bernat(def); Verrati, Marquinhos(mid); Alves, Draxler, Di Maria (att mid); Mbappe(att)
Recent Form
Heading into this Thursday clash, both teams have already been involved in several matches both in their domestic cups and respective leagues. Let’s find out what kind of results the two sides have been getting recently to have a clearer idea about their current form.
Manchester United
Recent form in all competition (last five matches): WWDWW
United’s impressive run under Solkjaer still going strong as they have been winning almost all of their matches except one, which ended in a draw. The Red Devils’ only draw so far happened at Old Trafford back on January 30 against Burnley.
That draw didn’t slow Solksjaer’s men though as they got back into winning ways in their next two games. Beating Leicester City in a hard fought battle and comfortably seeing off Fulham last weekend.
Paris Saint-Germain
Recent form in all competition (last five matches): WWLWW
In terms of results, PSG have also done quite well recently, apart from losing to Lyon in Ligue 1 back on February 4. Aside from that loss, Thomas Tuchel’s men have been winning all of their ties, despite losing Neymar.
That defeat from Lyon was disappointing, but didn’t seem to affect the players morale too much. PSG went on to win their next two matches afterwards, defeating Villfranche and edging out Bordeaux on Saturday.
