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!”
Neymar is a long term injury absentee due to a fractured metatarsal. He’s already been ruled out of the second leg of this tie. Striker Edinson Cavani is all but ruled out of this one, as he suffered a hip injury against Bordeaux yesterday. Right back Thomas Meunier has been ruled out as well.
“I am worried, but only because we are missing key players,” said Tuchel.
“In matches like these, decisive Champions League games, you absolutely need your key men as they are experienced in handling pressure in matches like this one.”
There is some good news for Les Parisiens though, as midfielder Marco Verratti has overcome a sprained ankle and thigh issue, as he was fit enough to play for an hour on Saturday.
As for United, defender and long injury absentee Marcos Rojo is the only player that caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be unable to call upon in team selection.
Solskjaer has articulated just how excited he is for this match.
“When the draw was made they were favorites,” Solskjaer noted on Friday.
“Until we have played PSG you can say we are still the underdogs, but at the moment we feel we can beat anyone.”
The former United player recalled his feelings when he watched the UCL draw with his son. (This was before he assumed the managerial reigns of the club)
“I thought: ‘Wow, what a challenge,’” he said.
“Then two or three days later I was in it. Suddenly it’s my challenge, and I can tell you I’ve got goosebumps. It’ll be a fantastic night under the floodlights, the fans will be up for it and it will be a new experience for PSG as well. They’ve been in England but they haven’t been to Old Trafford, have they?”
Paris Saint-Germain at Manchester United UCL FYIs
Kickoff: Tuesday, February 12, 8pm, Old Trafford
Odds via Betfair: United 31/20, Draw 5/2, Paris Saint-Germain 17/10
Anthony Martial and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer News Conference Quotes, Video: go to this link
Team news and notes: go to this link
MUFC 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.