Angel Di Maria broke not just the club, but the English transfer fee record when he moved to Manchester United from Real Madrid in 2014, but his stint with the club was underwhelming to say the least. Di Maria clashed with then manager Louis van Gaal and just never found himself, nor his game really clicking at Old Trafford.

The very next year Di Maria was off to Paris Saint-Germain, sold off at a price that incurred a big financial loss for United. When the Argentine midfielder came back to the Theatre of Dreams for the first time as an opponent last night, he was jeered and booed. During PSG’s 2-0 win over United in the UEFA Champions League knockout round, Di Maria had lighters and beer bottles thrown at him.

[Read more…]

Paris Saint-Germain went into Old Trafford tonight and basically said no Neymar, no Edinson Cavani, no Thomas Meunier, no problem! Winning 2-0 without some of their biggest guns, on the road against a near fully fit Manchester United squad puts them almost all but certain to go through to the next round.

It’s the away goals that’s the real backbreaker here for United, a side that will be without their best player in Paul Pogba for the Paris leg of the tie. Take a look at the play that got him sent off tonight, and thus disqualified for the reverse fixture in his native country:

[Read more…]

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.

[Read more…]

With 10 wins and one draw in 11 games across all competitions, Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has certainly made a strong case for his getting the gig full time. Forward Anthony Martial, one of several players that has seen his form flourish under Solskajer, publicly backed the Norwegian on Monday to become the club’s next permanent manager.

“Things are going really well at the moment. We’re really happy to have him here with us,” Martial said at a news conference ahead of tomorrow night’s UEFA Champions League knockout round clash against Paris Saint-Germain.

[Read more…]

When the UEFA Champions League knockout round pairings were announced back in mid-December, Paris Saint-Germain versus Manchester United looked like it was going to be rather lopsided in favor of the French powerhouse. What a difference a couple of months makes as this round of 16 clash now looks very evenly matched.

In fact, one could even argue that the outlook has now shifted all the way to the opposite side, in favor of United due to a.) the hot run of form they are currently on since Jose Mourinho was sacked and b.) all the big injuries to key players that PSG are dealing with.

[Read more…]

When Paris Saint-Germain head to Manchester United on Tuesday night, in the first leg of a highly anticipated UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie, they will be in full blown injury crisis mode. It’s going to be a battle between two clubs that currently reside at opposite ends of the team fitness report spectrum.

United have an almost fully fit squad while PSG manager Thomas Tuchel has admitted the slew of injuries to key players has forced him to move from “Plan B to Plan D!”

[Read more…]

Manchester United host Paris Saint-Germain Tuesday night in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie. This  knockout round clash has been highly anticipated for a very long time, so there are numerous news angles to cover today. Let’s dive right in, starting with the latest on PSG striker Edinson Cavani.

The 31-year-old limped off of PSG’s 1-0 win over Bordeaux yesterday due to a thigh problem. The Uruguayan, who provided the only scoring in the Saturday clash, has been all but ruled out versus United.

[Read more…]

Manchester United received another stroke of potential good luck today in regards to their massive UEFA Champions League knockout round clash at home versus Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night. PSG will already be without their superstar forward Neymar, as the Brazilian is suffering from a fractured metatarsal.

Now the PSG attack could be further depleted, as Edinson Cavani left his side’s home win over Bordeaux today early due to injury. Watch below as he converts a penalty in the 42′ (the only scoring in the game) and then limps off. With only three days now to recover for the visit to Old Trafford.

[Read more…]

Paul Pogba did not see a minute of playing time in Jose Mourinho’s final game in charge, an ugly blowout at the hands of Liverpool in mid-December. Since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over for “the sacked one” no player has better embodied the United turnaround better than Pogba.

The Frenchman bagged a brace in today’s very convincing 3-0 win at Fulham, before then being withdrawn early as preparations begin for the massive UEFA Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night. Paul Pogba has now scored eight goals in his last eight Premier League games. Here’s his official interview after being named man of the match:

[Read more…]

Ahead of Manchester United’s huge UEFA Champions League knockout round clash versus Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer made six changes to his starting XI today. Solskjaer’s decision to rotate his squad ahead of the PSG match in three days paid off with a very convincing 3-0 win at Fulham FC.

Playing the league’s second from bottom side provided an excellent opportunity to give some of the reserves more playing time. Of course, there is an element of risk in this strategy, as it could have resulted in dropped points. The Norwegian addressed the riskiness of his lineup decision making.

[Read more…]

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer met the media on Friday, ahead of the weekend Premier League fixture at Fulham FC. It’s a very news-filled day, beyond just what Solskjaer had to say, so let’s dive right into the round-up. For Hunting Picks, please check out this website.

[Read more…]

Manchester United head to Fulham FC on the weekend for a clash that could serve as the final tune-up before a very challenging stretch ensues. Fulham head into this match seven points from safety, sitting second from bottom in the table and sporting a -30 goal differential. Claudio Ranieri is an elite manager, but his mission to save Fulham from the drop isn’t going too well right now.

For United, this is a bit of a breather, before the back end of February comes bringing matches against Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Chelsea. Let’s take a look at the team news and fitness situation for this one, starting with the hosts.

[Read more…]