How Rashford can inspire United Women in Paris
It is safe to say that Manchester United have previous with the venue for our crucial UEFA Women’s Champions League tie on Wednesday evening.
The Parc des Princes, home to Paris Saint-Germain, will be the setting for our winner-takes-all round-two meeting with the Parisians tomorrow.
Last week’s 1-1 draw in the first leg means the fixture is evenly poised as Marc Skinner’s side head across the English Channel, to a location that has housed two of the club’s best European nights in modern times, with Marcus Rashford the star on both occasions.
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United hadn’t travelled to the stadium for a competitive match since it first opened in 1972, but would memorably visit in both 2019 and 2020.
The first of those trips in particular needs no introduction, and is renowned for Rashford calmly powering home a last-gasp penalty to complete what seemed a near impossible Champions League comeback for our men’s side.
The first of those trips in particular needs no introduction, and is renowned for Rashford calmly powering home a last-gasp penalty to complete what seemed a near impossible Champions League comeback for our men’s side.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team trailed 2-0 after the last-16 first leg in Manchester, but two Romelu Lukaku strikes – either side of a Juan Bernat leveller for the hosts – paved the way for a hero to step up. And step up did Marcus, with the Reds going through on away goals.
Just over a year and a half later, United would play away to PSG again, this time in the group stage of the 2020/21 tournament. Our Academy graduate would put his name up in the Parisian lights once more late on, with a deciding goal that saw us emerge 2-1 victors.
Just over a year and a half later, United would play away to PSG again, this time in the group stage of the 2020/21 tournament. Our Academy graduate would put his name up in the Parisian lights once more late on, with a deciding goal that saw us emerge 2-1 victors.
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Two successful visits to the Parc des Princes have carved out a 100 per cent record for United at the ground, and that is certainly something Skinner’s side will do everything to maintain during our third voyage on Wednesday, with an inaugural group-stage berth in the women’s competition up for grabs.
Being the team’s first-ever away match in the Champions League makes this a historic occasion in itself, and it is somewhat apt that it will be played in a location where the club has such thrilling memories already.
There is now the potential to create more on top of those, of course, and United Women’s remarkable journey to this point in the five years since the team's inception tells you that the trailblazing Ella Toone, Katie Zelem and co need little inspiration to create history.
But if any extra motivation is needed, they can look to the recent endeavours of Rashford and their male counterparts to know that great things are possible in Paris.
Being the team’s first-ever away match in the Champions League makes this a historic occasion in itself, and it is somewhat apt that it will be played in a location where the club has such thrilling memories already.
There is now the potential to create more on top of those, of course, and United Women’s remarkable journey to this point in the five years since the team's inception tells you that the trailblazing Ella Toone, Katie Zelem and co need little inspiration to create history.
But if any extra motivation is needed, they can look to the recent endeavours of Rashford and their male counterparts to know that great things are possible in Paris.
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