Manchester United vs. PSG: 5 key matchups

Manchester United take on PSG in the round of 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday. Here are five key matchups that could decide the result.

Manchester United face a PSG side that will be without their star player, Neymar, after he suffered an ankle injury that’s ruled him out for 10 weeks. Despite that, PSG have been improving under manager Thomas Tuchel and will present a formidable foe for United. This is a PSG team that came through the toughest group in the competition with relative ease, and have shown all season how flexible they can be when facing different teams.

Manchester United’s form has been stunning since the club was taken over by former player and Champions League winner Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Solskjaer has been handed a relatively easy fixture list since his takeover, but with United beating Tottenham at Wembley and Arsenal at the Emirates, Solskjaer has shown that he does indeed have some tactical acumen about him.

With Mike Phelan pulling the defensive strings, United are now a proper team with a clear tactical approach to games. Together, the two Manchester United stalwarts, alongside Kieren McKenna and Michael Carrick, have helped lift the mood at the club and bring a sense of confidence back. What looked when the draw was made like a lopsided matchup is now one of the most intriguing ties of the round of 16. Here are five key matchups that could decide the result.

https://twitter.com/Mike_Phelan_1/status/1092153645137829888

Marcus Rashford vs. Thiago Silva

When the draw was made, United were still under Jose Mourinho, and this match looked like a foregone conclusion. Now, under Solsjkaer, United look a threat again. The form of Marcus Rashford is a big reason for that. Tasked with stopping him will be Thiago Silva.

Silva has had a fairly average few seasons over the last couple of years, but this year he seems to have been revived, with Tuchel’s formula of tough love and tactical prowess doing the trick. Silva has been majestic all season long, and hardly looks his 34-year-old self. He’s the defender to give way to rotation the most, but will be a guaranteed start at Old Trafford. His experience and leadership will be key to herding this PSG defense, which has shown this season it can be vulnerable against quality attacking opponents.

Silva was torn apart by Mousa Dembele’s and Lyon’s front three in midweek, a match at which Solskjaer and Phelan were in attendance. Solsjkaer will be sure to point this out to Rashford. Rashford himself is playing at the peak of his confidence and will not be afraid to take Silva on and try a few risky dribbles. Rashford is developing into a key player at United and will undoubtedly try and pull Silva all over the place. With Paul Pogba supplying the passes from deep, Rashford can use his pace to run in behind or at Silva and cause him numerous problems.

The battle between youthful exuberance and experience is bound to be great, and will be a real key to determining the result.

Anthony Martial vs. Dani Alves (or Thomas Meunier)

In another youth vs. experience battle, Anthony Martial’s matchup with Dani Alves could unfold into one of the most entertaining on the pitch. It’s hard to believe Alves is still playing and has the ability to influence a match, but it’s undoubtedly true. A man with an infectious personality, he’s won it all before, and has the desire to do it again. Returning from a knee injury, many players at his age may have called time on their careers. Not Alves. His determination and drive to come back to play will be key when facing Martial.

Martial’s pace, trickery and finishing are all top notch, but he still tends to go invisible in games if things don’t go his way. Facing a wily and experienced opponent like Alves means Martial will have to buy his time on the attacking front as well as be diligent in his defensive duties.

Under Mourinho, Martial would probably have been forced to play as an acting left wing-back, but under Solskjaer, expect Martial to have license to roam and get in behind. His movement will be key in this battle, and if he begins the game with confidence, it could be arguably the biggest factor in United winning this tie. Alves doesn’t have the pace of his younger years and could be stretched if Martial’s in the mood.

Meunier might pose a slightly different test. He’s a man with an engine that never seems to die out, but will still have his hands full down that wing if Martial is at his best.

Paul Pogba vs. Marquinhos

Pogba’s form has been unbelievable since Solskjaer took over … it’s almost as if he’s a World Cup winner with limitless talent who was being smothered by someone not willing to admit he wasn’t the main man at the club *cough, Jose Mourinho, cough*

It’s testament to Pogba (and Solskjaer) that his and United’s fortunes have taken a full 180 over the past few weeks. He’s now the main man at United now, and as a result, everything goes through him. A happy Pogba is a dangerous Pogba, and his numbers since Solskjaer took over only serve to underline the influence he’s having.

With Marco Verratti out injured for this fixture, it’s likely Tuchel will start the versatile Marquinhos as the holding midfielder. This could also mean PSG start with three at the back and fill their midfield with Marquinhos, Angel Di Maria and Julian Draxler in the center, and Juan Bernat and Alves on the wings.

If that’s the setup PSG go with, Marquinhos will receive ample support in nullifying the threat posed by Pogba. However, the battle will be a tough one. Pogba’s ability to shift and find space with the ball allows him to release passes early, which in turn helps United make quick transitions. Even if he’s outnumbered in the middle, Pogba’s ability to pick a pass will be hard to curb. Additionally, Pogba has been one of United’s biggest influences on the counter, and if presented an opportunity, he can stride past the leggy PSG midfield and unlock the defense.

Pogba is back to his best, and how well he plays will be the biggest factor in determining the result. Marquinhos is going to have his hands full.

Ander Herrera vs. Julian Draxler

Remember the summer transfer window, when it was impossible to not read about Draxler being linked with a move away from PSG? Why would he stick around in a team where he doesn’t have a position to play in? Will he be able to take being so low down the pecking order in a team full of cliques and impossible egos?

Under Tuchel, Draxler has been his majestic old swan-like self again. Tuchel has convinced him of his importance to the team, and PSG have been rewarded with some fine performances from the German. Draxler’s versatility and ability to play in a five- or three-man midfield has made him one of the most important players at PSG this year, and he’s been one of PSG’s best players all season long.

The task of reducing his influence in the final third of the pitch will be given to another player revived this season, Ander Herrera.

Herrera’s uncanny ability to recycle possession at pace with his quick one-touch passing is one of the biggest reasons United have been so lethal in attack. It was the reason United signed him in the first place. His performances over the last few weeks have served as a reminder of what he can do, and why’s he has been linked with the likes of Barcelona before.

Herrera’s responsibilities will be two-fold against PSG. He’ll be tasked with keeping tabs on one of the two attacking midfielders, most likely Draxler, but will also be equally as important in United’s ability to hold onto and recycle possession. Solskjaer has shown that he can be adaptable; United have played matches with and without possession of the ball. Herrera’s presence is vital in both scenarios for United, and the battle with Draxler will be one of the most underrated tussles on the field.

Victor Lindelof vs. Kylian Mbappe

Victor Lindelof is another player who has been born again under Solskjaer. Brought in from the cold, Lindelof is now a guaranteed starter at center-back. His steady run of games recently has rebuilt his confidence. Suddenly, the 35 million Euros spent on him seems like an absolute steal.

Given the freedom to play out from the back and roam the pitch, Lindelof has made strides into the opposition half numerous times already, releasing the ball at the perfect time and having a shot when the opportunity presents itself.

Against PSG, he’ll be tasked with marking Kylian Mbappe. Lindelof however, will be up for the challenge. The Swede is developing into a real leader at the back for United now, and will be the player who marshals United’s defense. Regardless of whether it’s Eric Bailly, Phil Jones or Chris Smalling playing alongside him, Lindelof will be the player tasked with dealing with the pace and trickery of Mbappe.

Mbappe is having another outstanding season with PSG, but it’s important to note that the absence of Neymar on the field does tend to affect his performances. With Neymar unavailable to occupy defenders, Mbappe becomes the primary focus. He needs to make sure he stays away from the fringes of the game and grabs the occasion by the throat.

PSG have blown hot and cold this season in the Champions League depending on where they’ve played, and United will know this. The reverse fixture at the Parc de Princes will pose a completely different kind of test, but if United dominate the above-mentioned matchups, they should expect a victory. Regardless of the result, however, the match promises to be a cracker.