Manchester United vs PSG Match Summary

A strange game at Old Trafford as Manchester United faced PSG in a clash crucial for both teams. A point would see United qualify for the knockout stages and a win would send them top of the group. A win for PSG was essential and would put them in a good stance to qualify with Basaksehir travelling to Paris on Matchday 6. United found themselves subjected to an early onslaught and punished with a fine finish from Neymar. The home side reacted well and rewarded with a lucky deflection and equalised after controversy surrounding a headbutt from Fred. Half time arrived and United played well. The home side deserved to be level going into the second.

The second half continued with Manchester United dominance and while they created a host of chances, they failed to make count against PSG. 25 minutes into the half, PSG found the lead from fortunate deflections and another clinical finish. This time from Marquinhos. Chaos fell as the referee gave Fred a second yellow card controversially again and sent off with under 20 minutes to go. After that point, United threw the kitchen sink at PSG but failed to create any clear chances. PSG sealed the game off with 90 seconds left as a devastating counter was finished by Neymar.

Conclusion:

Such a disappointing result because United easily could have won this game 4 or 5-1 with the chances they created. The defence were excellent all game really and the goals PSG scored were simply instinctive finishes from deflected shots. Ironically, after everything went right for Manchester United in the second half against Southampton, everything went wrong in the second half against PSG. Missed chances, a deflected shot leading to a goal and an incorrect call with the second yellow. A gutting result because it easily could have been a United win! Nevertheless, focus must now be on West Ham on Saturday as only a win will do and United must bounce back.

Manchester United vs PSG Player Ratings

David de Gea 8.5/10

Another great game for David de Gea. He made some very good saves and could do nothing about either goal. Good to see he has recovered well after the Saints match.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka 8/10

A good attacking and defensive performance. He dealt with Mbappe and Neymar again, forcing the former to switch sides as he did in Paris. A nice assist for Rashford too.

Victor Lindelof 8.5/10

A very solid performance. Dealt with PSG’s attackers all game and aerially dominant too. His good performances go under the radar but his bad performances get exposed. A real shame as he has played almost perfectly since returning to the lineup.

Harry Maguire 8/10

Another good performance. Would have got a higher rating but got sat down by Neymar at the end. He played well and I could hear his commanding presence during the game. Has to rally the team for Saturday.

Alex Telles 7.5/10

Did very well, but his attacking play was lacking as PSG were more wary of it after his debut in Matchday 1. Corners caused problems but were never perfect for the runs made. Some work that needs doing in training.

Scott McTominay 7/10

A nice battle with Neymar and relatively solid. Needs to improve with his forward passing.

Fred 5/10

Saw the best and worst of Fred. He had a moment of madness which was certainly an orange card there. Paredes dived but Fred moved his head towards him. He played very well when United were in the ascendancy so I do understand why Ole kept him on as you can’t take off every booked player. He won the ball for the second yellow but his touch was so bad in the first place it is understandable why he was given the card in real time as VAR can’t overturn yellow cards.

Bruno Fernandes 7/10

Wasteful at points but brilliant for the most part. Crucial in almost every attack. Missed a glorious opportunity as he opted to pass instead of shoot. He’ll shake it off.

Anthony Martial 5/10

He was good at times and played in Cavani for his excellent chip. But something isn’t right with Martial. 99 times out of 100 he buries that chance. He is struggling for form and what we need to do is get behind him. He needs to score, desperately and not if but when he does, he will come up with the goods.

Marcus Rashford 8/10

Got in good areas down the right and created some decent chances. Got another goal but came off with a slight injury. Hopefully he will be back for Saturday.

Edinson Cavani 7.5/10

Great movement and linkup play. He missed a big chance but it was more unlucky than wasteful. He would have wished for a better return against PSG.

Substitutes:

Paul Pogba 6/10

Magnificent effort but just over. Lively but ineffective mostly.

Donny van de Beek 6/10

Got the ball moving forward but that’s it. Not much else he could do.

Mason Greenwood 6/10

Dynamic and demanded the ball but no final product.

Odion Ighalo N/A

Sharp but did not affect the game.

Man of the Match: Victor Lindelof

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 6/10

I don’t see a single problem with the lineup. It could play possession and it could play counter attack. Solskjaer knew the PSG left was weak and Rashford caused havoc down the United right. There is an argument that Fred could have been taken off both at half time and after the hour mark. I would argue that United were dominant at the end of the first half and continued during the start of the second and Fred was pivotal to that. Maybe after an hour Donny could have come on. What I do question were the subs after the second goal. I do question taking off both Cavani and Martial. That did not make sense. There will always be questions raised over managerial decisions. It happened with Moyes, it happened with Van Gaal, it happened with Jose so Ole is no different in that sense.