Early team news ahead of United's trip to Paris
Manchester United will be without Paul Pogba for Wednesday night’s Champions last-16 clash with Paris Saint-Germain, and Anthony Martial is also a major doubt, with the French side 2-0 up from the first leg.
It is a huge blow for the Reds and Pogba has missed just one game (the Emirates FA Cup third-round win against Reading) since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed caretaker manager in December.
Highlights: United 0 PSG 2
Watch what happened in our UEFA Champions League last-16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain at Old Trafford...
Despite that, the boss believes he has enough quality in his squad to upset the French champions.
“This club has had so many great comebacks,” said Ole. “But we have got eight straight away wins, so we are confident away from home. If we are in the game with 20 to 30 minutes to go, then who knows.”
With Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic expected to miss the game through injury, Scott McTominay, Fred and Andreas Pereira will all be in contention for a place.
Ahead of them, Alexis Sanchez looks likely to miss Wednesday’s match after he picked up a knee injury during the 3-2 win against Southampton.
Ole has also confirmed that Martial may well be unavailable for the clash, after injuring his hamstring against Liverpool. "I don’t think we can risk it,” the Norwegian said at the weekend. “He has not been training yet, so I don’t think so."
Juan Mata has already suggested in his weekly blog that he will not feature in the French capital and Jesse Lingard is also set to remain sidelined.
However, in more positive news, the Reds will be able to call upon Marcus Rashford at the Parc de Princes after the striker recovered from an ankle injury to play 90 minutes against Southampton on Saturday.
He could start up front up with in-form hitman Romelu Lukaku, who has netted four times in his last two games for the Reds.
PSG warmed up for our Champions League last-16 tie by securing a 2-1 comeback win at Caen, where Kylian Mbappe scored twice to secure three Ligue 1 points.
At the back, Ole has selected the same defence in the last four outings, and could be tempted to make it five in a row in the French capital.
Ashley Young, Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw have formed the manager’s preferred line-up in recent weeks, but Eric Bailly started in the first leg and there is the option of a switch in formation to accommodate three central defenders.
Behind the defence, David De Gea is expected to make his 30th Champions League appearance for United.
“The coach insisted on winning to prepare for the visit of Manchester, that’s what we did. We will come home, rest and prepare well for the important match which awaits us."
PSG head coach Thomas Tuchel has suggested Edinson Cavani will miss the second leg due to injury, joining Neymar on the sidelines. Stanley N'Soki and Sebastien Cibois are also being considered as doubts.
Commenting on Pogba's suspension, Tuchel told reporters in France at the weekend: "Others say that Paul Pogba is missing and it will be fine. We must find the middle ground between these two views. We cannot play with fear nor with too much confidence.”
Marquinhos, who was captain against Caen on Saturday with Thiago Silva rested, added: “We cannot think that we have done the hard bit. We cannot fall into the trap of thinking it will be easy. We have to approach this match with the same intensity, the same attitude as Old Trafford.”
Star striker Kylian Mbappe, who scored twice on Saturday, added: "The coach insisted on winning this match to prepare for the visit of Manchester, that's what we did. We will come home, rest and prepare well for the important match which awaits us on Wednesday."
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