The Scotsman

PSG loss exposes Solskjaer’s need for top creative leader

- Kevin Garside

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continues to make the right noises. Defeat need not be a disaster as long as the experience is instructiv­e. So what might Manchester United’s interim manager have learned from the Champions League defeat to Paris St Germain?

He rightly observed difference­s in quality. From one to 11, PSG carry few passengers, and, in key areas, boast alpha beasts. In this company, United have serious spinal issues and, as a result, were exposed in a way they have not been during the post-jose Mourinho upswing in the Premier League.

United face Chelsea in the FA Cup next then Liverpool at home, two teams with the capability to expose United further, even if the former are more likely to chuck it in spectacula­rly in this phase of the Sarri-ball experiment. The PSG match was tight for half an hour until the first glimpse of Kylian Mbappe betrayed what was to come. Victor Lindelof is probably still in need of gas and air after his obliterati­on in the touchline drag race with Mbappe. And Lindelof is not the weakest link in the United defensive structure.

Yes United lost Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard in the second half, yet neither was able to punch a hole in the PSG shield. Both are part of the same problem, if at opposite ends. United’s greatest need is a world class No 10 to release all that attacking potential. Since neither Juan Mata or Alexis Sanchez are remotely good enough, Solskjaer is Manchester United and Paris St Germain have been charged by Uefa following Tuesday night’s Champions League clash between the clubs at Old Trafford.

United have been charged with fans throwing objects and having stairways blocked, PSG with fans throwing objects, setting off fireworks, acts of damage and crowd

forced into a Paul Pogba-lingard shaped fudge, utilising the former’s quick feet and the latter’s pace. This has worked well enough against lesser opposition. Against a world class defensive midfielder in Marquinhos and an outstandin­g disturbanc­e. A beer bottle was thrown from the crowd towards PSG’S former United winger Angel Di Maria in the second half of the last-16 first leg. It has been reported that a bottle of water was also thrown Di Maria’s way and an item landed at the feet of United full-back Luke Shaw. The case will be heard on 28 February.

centre back in Thiago Silva, it unravelled.

In their present configurat­ion, United are a lesser force without Lingard. Equally, at this rarified level, they are not goodenough­withhimina­bastardise­d version of the No 10 No 10: PSG exposed United’s lack of a world leader at the heart of the creative hub. Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard’s job share is fine in the Premier League but does not cut through against Europe’s best.

Defensive midfielder: Marquinhos’ marshallin­g of Pogba was a perfect demonstrat­ion of the art, protecting his defence and freeing Marco Verratti to set the midfield tempo. Hello N’golo Kante.

Centre back: United are actively searching for a commanding figure able to break into midfield by bringing the ball out effectivel­y as well as marshaling the defence. Harry Maguire keep your phone on.

Right-back: Diogo Dalot might be the future but he isn’t the present. United lack penetratio­n down the right. The ability to whip in crosses at pace has become a fundamenta­l feature of the modern full-back’s role. role. United did not seriously test Gianluigi Buffon all night. The lack of a David Silva, a Raheem Sterling, a peak Eden Hazard or a Christian Eriksen goes a long way to explaining why. Imagine how potent United might be were such a player picking the right pass for Martial. After sprinting clear in a move of breathtaki­ng pace, Martial was clear in oceans of space down the left but Lingard couldn’t find him. Worse still, he passed the ball behind Martial clean into touch.

The outstandin­g job Marquinhos did in neutralisi­ng Pogba points directly to another position that needs attention, defensive mid. The Lingard summary applies to Ander Herrera, a positive contributo­rintheprem­ierleague. In the Champions League not so much. As we know, Arsene Wenger knows. Wenger fingered the weakness in United’s midfield during his half-time deliberati­ons as a pundit for bein sport. Marquinhos’ control of Pogba, left, in that area pulled United out of shape in the middle of the park, freeing Marco Verratti and Angel di Maria to do their stuff.

Wenger pointed to a third weakness in the United structure, 2 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had much to ponder after Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat by PSG at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

central defence. In that opening half hour, before Mbappe began to stretch the back-four, United appeared to be coping well. Once Marquinhos and Verratti began to pull the strings the connectivi­ty between United’s centre backs and the defensive screen was lost.

This had a consequenc­e not only for defensive efficacy but attack too, since neither Lindelof nor Eric Bailly used the ball well enough. The need for a commanding, ball-playing centre back is obvious. We need look only 30 miles west to see the difference Virgil van Dijk has made at Liverpool.

Last but not least, United have yet to identify a world class right-back capable of stretching defences and delivering meaningful crosses into the box. Oh yes, the applicant must also be competent in defence. Ashley Young has been a diligent servant to the club. Diligence alone does not get it done in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Solskjaer remarked how, in the absence of ticket sellers Neymar and Edinson Cavani, Julian Draxler and Di Maria stepped up to fill the creative spaces. “They have many Draxlers and Di Marias. You can see the strength they have when they bring those kind of players in. We are looking to strengthen the squad but we also have to learn because we have a lot of young players.”

This outcome does not weaken Solskjaer’s candidacy for the permanent post, since he inherited the same structural flaws which his predecesso­r failed to correct.

Again striking the right note, Solskjaer invited his players to respond. Thus the reality check is also an opportunit­y, one that might yet reveal more about Solskjaer’s suitabilit­y or otherwise to lead United back to PSG and the summit of the game.

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