Back on December 17, when Manchester United vs. Paris Saint-Germain was announced as a UEFA Champions League knockout round tie, the perception was that PSG would cruise through on a cakewalk to the next round. The very next day, Jose Mourinho was sacked and caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over.
With 10 wins and one draw in 11 games across all competitions, Solskjaer has certainly made a strong case for his getting the job on a permanent basis. He’s also brought United back into the top four, which is remarkable considering how they were 11 points off the pace when he came aboard.
Now PSG come into Old Trafford in an injury crisis, and considered by some a slight underdog in this match. How far United have come! And in such a short time too. Red Devils central defender Phil Jones pointed out just how bad things were at the start of the term, deeming his side’s early season form a “laughingstock.”
It’s very refreshing to high profile athlete tell it like it is for a change.
“Everyone’s got to take us seriously now,” Phil Jones said. “We might have been a bit of a laughing stock at the beginning of the season but we’re certainly not now.”
“We’ve proven that in the last 10 or 12 games. We’re improving, we’re still getting better. It was tough for everyone involved. The club, the supporters, everyone. But it’s about becoming stronger and seeing that through.”
“I’ve said it in the past: we’ve not achieved anything yet, we’re under no illusions but we’re heading in the right direction.”
“We knew we could get into the top four. It’s a big statement from where we were. Consistency is key in any sport and it’s no different here. We’re putting a run together, we need to keep momentum going and pick up points.”
Paris Saint-Germain at Manchester United UCL FYIs
Kickoff: Tuesday, February 12, 8pm, Old Trafford
Anthony Martial and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer News Conference Quotes, Video: go to this link
Injury Report for both sides: go to this link
United starting XI prediction: go to this link
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.