The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Fernandes to captain Manchester United in clash with PSG
Bruno Fernandes will captain Manchester United for the first time as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s “depleted” side kick off their Champions League campaign without Harry Maguire, Edinson Cavani and Mason Greenwood.
After a year away from European football’s top table, the Red Devils will step out to take on Paris St Germain for the first time since bowing out in the quarter-finals against Barcelona in April 2019.
Solskjaer’s side made it that far thanks to a jawdropping comeback at PSG in the previous round, with United digging deep to secure a remarkable 3-1 triumph in the French capital without a string of firstteam players.
The 1999 Champions League final hero will again be without a number of players when they return to the Parcd es Prices tonight, with Maguire, Cavani and Greenwood particularly eye-catching absentees.
“Yeah (those three are not with us) and we’ve lost a couple... ( Eric) Bailly didn’t travel or ( Jesse) Lingard didn’t travel,” Solskjaer said.
“We’ re a little bit depleted but we have got more than enough players.
“We hope the players won’t be away for too long. Edinson needs a few more days training before maybe we can think about the weekend.
“Hopefully Harry, Eric and Mason as well but we’re not sure.”
New boy Cavani is PSG’s all-time top scorer but his absence is understandable given he only trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Sunday following a period of quarantine.
Chelsea are expected to be without Edouard Mendy for the clash with Sevilla at Stamford Bridge tonight.
The Senegal goalkeeper missed Saturday’s 3- 3 Premier League draw with Southampton due to a thigh complaint.
The out-of-form Kepa Arrizabalaga endured another difficult afternoon against Saints, but could still start ahead of Willy Caballero against Europa League winners Sevilla.
Brazil defender Thiago Silva could come back into the reckoning having missed the weekend draw due to tiredness following the international break.