‘We’ll miss you, Poch’
MANCHESTER MANCHES UNITED wrote a footballing fairytale in the most romantic of cities to leave Paris Saint-Germain Saint-Germ heartbroken. United produced pro a heroic display to secure a memorable win and book a place in the last eight of the Champions League.
A bizarre game saw Romelu Lukaku scor score twice and a stoppagetime time penalty from Marcus Rashford give a depleted deplet Reds side a 3-1 win go through on o away goals. They look looked like coming up agonisingly nisingly short sho until a remarkable game produ produced a remarkable finish. Referee Damir Da Skomina used VAR to decide P Presnel Kimpembe had handled Diogo Di Dalot’s shot and pointed to the th spot.
Then Rashford Rash held his nerve to seal one of t the most famous European pean wins in United’s long history. The size of the task they faced was clear befor before kick- off when Ole Gunnar Sols Solskjaer named a makeshift shift midfiel midfield that included Ashley Young and Brazilian B outcast Fred, with Eric Ba Bailly at right-back. Youth t team players James Garner, Angel A Gomes, Tahith Chong and an Mason Greenwood were among am the subs on a night when all a the odds seemed stacked stacke against the visitors. There Th was little else Solskjaer jaer could do considering he was shorn of 10 firstteam t regulars through injury and suspension. PSG, meanwhile, had the luxury of resting players last weekend and boss Thomas Tuchel made six changes to a team that was almost at full strength, albeit Neymar remain sidelined.
He named the same starting eleven that had outclassed United 2-0 in the first leg at Old Trafford last month and home fans poured into the Parc des Princes expecting more of the same.
But those same supporters were left dumbstruck inside the opening two minutes when United scored with their first attack of the game g to kick-start a bonkers ers first half.
In the build up, Solskjaer ordered d his men to get into o the heads of PSG and make them question themselves - – and that is s just what happened. d.
Defender Thilo hi lo Kehrer underhit hit a backpass and Lukaku pounced, holding off another challenge, rounding Gianluigi Buffon and finishing calmly from a tight angle.
PSG were level just 10 minutes later to restore some normality to proceedings.
Kylian Mbappe, who had gone close moments earlier, was allowed time and space on the right to pick out Juan Bernat with a perfect cross that nutmegged Chris Smalling.
Bailly let Bernat run straight past him and the Spain international made no mistake from close range with a clinical finish. PSG were getting into full stride and carving through the United defence at will, their rapid movement and swift passing exposing Bailly.
Mbappe (below) fired into the side netting before combining with Dani Alves to set up Bernat, who this time failed to hit the target.
The writing appeared to be on the wall for the Reds, who were living off scraps and relying on mistakes to gift them chances, which Buffon duly provided on 30 minutes. He spilled p Rashford’s shot into the path of Lukaku, who tapped in to m make it 2-1 to United on the night.
Solskjaer hauled off a l limping Bailly in favour of Dalot before half time and the substitute’s c cross was almost d deflected past Buffon mi minutes later.
Th The game was on a knife edge edge, wit with one more unanswered goal from United being enough to see them through on a remarkable night.
Reds legend Eric Cantona looked on from the stands and how Solskjaer could have done with some of the stardust his former colleague used to produce.
But in the end he had to settle for a favour from VAR, along with Rashford’s coolness under pressure.
When the final whistle blew United invaded the pitch to celebrate – while the PSG players dropped to their knees in despair. WITH six goals from his last three matches, redemption has been so sweet for Romelu Lukaku.
Since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was parachuted in as caretaker boss to salvage Manchester United’s season from the wreckage left behind by Jose Mourinho, striker Lukaku has had to bide his time.
With Solskjaer’s preferred front three comprising Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard, the Belgium star – undroppable under Mourinho – has been forced back into the supporting cast.
But the injury crisis that robbed Solskjaer of Martialal and Lingard created an n opening for Lukaku, u, who used it to prove his value to United, despite criticism of him, some of it from his own fans.
In a remarkable first half in the French capital, Lukaku kaku had two chances and nd converted both of them against Paris Saint-Germain, showing clinical predatory instincts to help United stage a remarkable European comeback.
Following his doubles against Crystal Palace and Southampton, Lukaku has netted more goals inside a week than Alexis Sanchez (above) has in his entire 14-month spell at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer revealed that no United player scores more goals in training than Lukaku, whose fine run of form is vindication for his unstinting work-rate and application – not to mention his improved finishing. FROM BACK PAGE option for the president. He’s been called in the last few weeks. I think there’s a big chance he will be on the bench next season.”
Solari is under huge pressure after holders Real were dumped out of the Champions League with a 4-1 home thumping by Ajax.
They are likely to wait until summer, but Mourinho is understood to be keen on a job he left in 2013 after a turbulent three years.
His appointment would be a huge relief for Spurs, with Mauricio Pochettino on the Real shortlist.
Calderon was critical of the “damage” Mourinho’s reign caused and believes he is a bad choice.
He added: “His style of play isn’t what the Bernabeu wants. I believe he’ll be here next year as he’s the only manager the president respects, he puts the dressing room in order and demands the players work hard.” FROM BACK PAGE
Burnley. Pochettino will have to sit in the stands at former club Southampton on Saturday and – most significantly – at Liverpool on March 31.
Pochettino is shocked and feels hard done by at receiving the ban.
He apologised publicly afterwards, his behaviour is normally good and it was also his first offence.
He expected a fine or a warning. Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld (above) said: “I think the group is mature enough to play the way the coach wants to.
“He will be missed but I think it will be up to us to step up and deliver the performance he wants.”