Man United 0-2 PSG: Mbappe and co. leave United a mountain to climb
PSG showed their difference in class as they dismantled Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford, leaving Ole’s men with a Herculean task ahead of them. A game between two of the giants of modern European football began at an absolutely rapid pace with both teams pressing like there was no tomorrow. The exhilarating pace of the game was backed up by even distribution of possession as well.
As the duel headed into the 10th minute mark, both teams settled in but were unable to create any clear-cut chances. Paul Pogba looked extremely dangerous right from the start as he troubled Kimpembe down the left flank on multiple occasions.
The game was a very edgy affair with a lot of the play happing in the midfield. While it was free-flowing, neither team was able to really impose its dominance on the game with the possession stats further proving this.
The prodigious Kylian Mbappe had his first chance of the game when a ball was threaded through to him and he was suddenly one-on-one with David de Gea. His touch took him wide and his sliding effort was always clear of the Spaniard’s near-post.
As the game edged closer to half-time, it was clear that PSG were going to be in the ascendancy in this game. As the minutes ticked on, Jesse Lingard picked up a slight knock which forced Alexis Sanchez to come off the bench and replace him right on the verge of the interval.
The second half began with Juan Mata replacing Anthony Martial, who had also picked up a niggle at the end of the first period. This rather violent game had already seen six yellow cards but the Parisians were clearly the dominant force.
Just 8 minutes into the second period though, a PSG corner led to the opening goal of the game. Di Maria’s ball from the right was met by Kimpembe at the far past after he had lost Matic who was marking him. He blasted it past a hapless De Gea to make it 1-0.
Seven minutes later, it happened again as a quick counter found Di Maria with acres of space on the left. He picked out an inch-perfect cross to Mbappe in the box. The Frenchman cushioned the ball past United’s Spanish goalkeeper to make it 2-0 to the Parisians at Old Trafford.
The second goal seemed to trigger a switch as PSG began to break down the United defence with ease and create better chances. Mbappe had a sly chipped attempt saved by a brilliant reflex stop from De Gea.
United wore the storm and then began to apply real pressure as they looked to get at least a goal to take back to Paris. The PSG defence remained composed and well-poised as they kept seeing out the United attacks.
But the PSG defence stood strong until the end and in the final moments of the game, a silly challenge from Paul Pogba earned him his second yellow of the night. This means that they will be without the Frenchman when they travel to the Parc De Princes to try and cover a 2-goal deficit.
Here’s how some distraught Manchester United fans reacted to the home defeat:
Guyz i know its hard for us to see us loose at ot..but guyz we have to back ole even in defeats if we were congratulating him while we were winning..We can try for a comeback in Paris…Lets be with Ole and our boys..and hope we perform better in Paris..#manutd❤
— Harshwardhan Chitnis (@Harsh_20042002) February 12, 2019
Heavy investment needed. Sanchez and mata need to be offloaded in the summer and we desperately need a CB and RB. Sanchez especially he’s a disgrace.
— RK (@Pochszn__) February 12, 2019
Beaten by a better team tonight but if Woodward watches that & thinks we don’t need to drop £300 million in the summer on 2 defenders, 2 CMs, 1 winger & 1 CF hes deluded. Total lack of squad depth to challenge for trophies. Sanchez wouldn’t get in Huddersfield side…£500k a week
— Benjy Doran (@BenjyDoran) February 12, 2019
Terminate Alexis Sanchez’s extortionate contract NOW, worst player we’ve ever signed
— Tyler (@Schweiderlin) February 12, 2019
This referee was clearly against United. How can you give Pogba that red card just for nothing.
— MARTIAL Unofficial (@MichaelOmondi0) February 12, 2019
Never play Sanchez and Mata aqain 😒
— Vibez🍫🍫 (@JimzVictor) February 12, 2019
Can’t believe we have contract extensions to people like young and jones But not David de Gea & Ander Herrera
— Sunny Saharan (@SunnyS_111) February 12, 2019
Ref came with a game plan. Get PSG through
— scotty🥇 (@scottabot83) February 12, 2019
Alexis the worst United number 7 ever..
— Dapz (@LH44JL14) February 12, 2019
