Reality check for Man United as visiting PSG takes charge
FOR about 20 minutes the Champions League glory days really did feel like they were back for Manchester United.
The capacity crowd at Old Trafford was in full voice, United were attacking Paris SaintGermain down the flanks with speed and aggression and their opponents looked shaky.
That feeling lasted until the French champions began to get a grip on the game and by the end of the night, a 2-0 defeat in the last-16 first-leg clash, the gulf that remains between this United team and the European elite was evident.
Second-half goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe were a just reward for the impressive PSG.
“That’s the level we want to get to” Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told reporters after he suffered his first loss in 12 games as United’s caretaker manager. “This is a top, top team we played against.”
PSG had to cope without the injured Neymar and Edison Cavani, two thirds of their attack, yet remained a real threat in the final third with Julian Draxler and Angel Di Maria causing United problems.
“It’s a reality check, you can see the strength they have when they put those players in as you talk about but that’s the level we want to get to,” Solskjaer said. Delighted PSG boss Thomas Tuchel was thrilled with the win but was remaining cautious. “It is a great achievement to come here and win,” he said. “But we also know that United are capable of winning in Paris, you can’t rest on your laurels and start thinking about the quarter-finals now....it’s only halftime.” Only once since the 2010-11 season have United won a Champions League knockout stage game and, with key midfielder Paul Pogba suspended after his late red card, the odds are stacked against that changing in Paris on March 6.