Young Reds could face PSG
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted that Wednesday night's UEFA Champions League second leg against Paris Saint-Germain could afford some of Manchester United’s travelling youngsters with a chance to play.
United are without several senior first-team stars who played in the first leg – the Reds’ only defeat so far under caretaker manager Solskjaer – and Alexis Sanchez joined the list of sidelined senior professionals when he suffered an injury during Saturday's 3-2 Premier League win over Southampton.
“Yeah, it looks like he [Alexis] might be out for a bit,” said Solskjaer. “It was a bad knee injury, [so he could be out for] four weeks or six weeks. Hopefully he'll recover quickly.”
En route to Paris
GalleryOle Gunnar Solskjaer and his squad have flown out to France for our second leg against PSG.
The Norwegian was positive, if realistic, ahead of Wednesday’s game at the Parc des Princes, especially when asked about the younger players who have made the trip across the Channel.
Tahith Chong, James Garner, Angel Gomes, Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams are all in the party and will hope to emulate Academy graduates Scott McTominay, Andreas Pereira and Marcus Rashford by featuring in a Champions League game for the Reds.
“It's just one of those situations that you come into that we've lost a few players,” reflected Solskjaer, before reporters asked for more information about 18-year-old defender Williams.
“We'll have a good team out there. Alexis was the only one that we struggled to get fit for now. Brandon is a full-back who can play both sides. He's quick and this is the first time he has travelled with us.”
“He didn't expect to come but that's part of being here that suddenly you're called upon. That's why you're in the Academy, that we believe in you and suddenly you have to step up. That's why we have good coaches for them, to make them ready.”
As at Old Trafford, the French champions seem likely to be without Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr and the club’s all-time top scorer, Edinson Cavani, who was injured in PSG’s final match before the first leg against United.
“I have no news of Ney,” Tuchel told the French media last week. "I was too optimistic last time [about Cavani], it's my fault. We cannot take risks, it's too early. We are happy that he will resume with us. Being realistic, it's very short for him to play against Manchester United.”
Neymar is currently recuperating in Brazil after damaging one of his metatarsals, though the forward is expected back in Paris to attend Wednesday evening’s match.
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