Kimpembe, Mbappe seal PSG win at Old Trafford

PSG claimed a crucial 2-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford as the French side assert their dominance in the Champions League round of 16 tie. Second-half goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe sealed a vital win for their team, with Paul Pogba seeing red to add to United’s woes late on.

PSG were without Neymar and Edinson Cavani for the fixture, lending further credence to the possibility that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could extend his outstanding record as United’s interim manager.

The Red Devils started the livelier of the two sides with the Old Trafford crowd creating a hostile environment for their French opposition.

Former United man Angel Di Maria had the first attempt of the game, curling an effort wide of David De Gea’s goal from outside the box, the Argentine was met with boos from the home faithful with nearly every touch.

Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard were real livewires in the early exchanges and the former tested Buffon from a speculative angle. Pogba, a rejuvenated player under United’s new boss, showed good pace minutes later to beat Presnel Kimpembe down the line but was unable to find a red shirt in the box.

It was the French champions who almost took the lead after half an hour played. Marco Verratti played a sharp ball into Julian Draxler who cleverly put through Mbappe The World Cup winner could only put the ball agonisingly wide, however it served as a warning for the hosts.

Italian referee Daniele Orsoto was not interested in being lenient with any players in this affair as he handed out five first-half yellow cards, leaving both teams proceeding with caution in the second period.

United looked to hit the Parisians on the break as the Ligue 1 winners started to control possession, but the teams remained goalless at half-time.

The home side were forced into changes either side of the break, Jesse Lingard departing for Alexis Sanchez just before half-time, with Anthony Martial also failing to shake off a knock, being replaced by Juan Mata for the second period. It was a blow for Solskjaer, who may be without two of his key players for the clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford and perhaps beyond that.

PSG started the second half much the brighter side. Mbappe had a header saved from close range by De Gea but moments later the deadlock was broken. The resulting corner from Di Maria found its way to the back post where Kimpembe had lost Nemanja Matic. The Frenchman volleyed in from close range to give them the away team the lead and a crucial away goal in the 53rd minute.

Kimpembe could perhaps have felt fortunate to still be on the field for the goal, the goalscorer involved in an incident with Rashford five minutes earlier which could have resulted in a second yellow card.

Somehow two minutes later the visitors didn’t double their lead. A clearance fell for Dani Alves to volley, his strike unintentionally deflected just wide by Pogba’s heel as PSG asserted dominance on the game.

It didn’t take long for the second to come.

After PSG worked it out to Di Maria on the right, Mbappe broke into the area utilising his glorious pace and the Argentine played a low ball into towards the Frenchman who clinically stroked the ball past De Gea to doubled the French side’s lead on the hour mark.

A team without Neymar and Cavani were now showing they could still compete while United looked flat without the energy and creativity of Martial and Lingard.

Verratti, who recovered from injury in time for this fixture, was forced off again and was replaced by new signing Leandro Paredes.

United lacked any kind of invention as the game entered the final fifteen minutes.

The Red Devils were being limited to long-range efforts, Ander Herrera looking to curl past Buffon from outside the area. Solskjaer rolled the dice with his final change as he replaced Rashford with Romelu Lukaku with just over five minutes left.

United did not halve their deficit but they did reduce their numbers as a late challenge on Dani Alves saw Pogba receive his marching orders for a second yellow card, giving Solskjaer another selection headache for the now vital second leg in Paris.

It was Thomas Tuchel’s PSG who take a two-goal lead to the Parc des Princes with the advantage firmly with the French champions.

Solskjaer’s United failed to test Gianluigi Buffon in the PSG goal throughout the game as the Parisians cruised to victory, taking two away goals back to France with them.

FULL TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 0 PARIS SAINT GERMAIN 2

Manchester United: David De Gea, Ashley Young, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Luke Shaw, Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard (Alexis Sanchez, 45), Anthony Martial (Juan Mata, 46), Marcus Rashford (Romelu Lukaku, 84)

Unused Substitutes: Sergio Romero, Diogo Dalot, Phil Jones, Fred

Paris Saint Germain: Gianluigi Buffon, Thilo Kehrer, Thiago Silva, Presnel Kimpembe, Juan Bernat, Marquinhos, Marco Verratti (Leandro Paredes, 74), Dani Alves, Angel Di Maria (Colin Dagba, 81), Julian Draxler, Kylian Mbappe

Unused Substitutes: Alphonse Areola, Layvin Kurzawa, Christopher Nkunku, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Moussa Diaby