‘Any team missing Neymar and Edinson Cavani will feel the effect… but it makes them unpredictable’: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer warns Man United of PSG threat despite absence of stars as Anthony Martial translates for his boss
- Manchester United face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16
- Manchester United host the first leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday night
- PSG star duo Neymar and Edinson Cavani are both out of the game due to injury
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned that Paris Saint-Germain will be more unpredictable without Neymar and Edinson Cavani when they meet Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
The two clubs clash in the last 16 of the Champions League and United’s hopes have been lifted by the absence of two of PSG’s main threats.
But Solskjaer believes that will open the door to other players and make it harder for United to prepare against the French champions.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned Manchester United of the threat Paris Saint-Germain pose
Solskjaer is preparing his United side for PSG – who will be without Neymar and Edinson Cavani
He spoke at his pre-game press conference on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s last-16 first leg
Striker Cavani will miss the first leg at Old Trafford due to a thigh injury sustained on Saturday
The Parisians are without the world’s most expensive player Neymar, who is also injured
He said: ‘Of course any team that are missing players like Neymar and Cavani will feel the effect, but that will give other players a chance. It makes it more unpredictable for us who they are going to play.
‘When you have seen that front three the whole season you know what to expect. We’re guessing a little bit, but we have an idea how they are going to approach the game.’
United’s caretaker boss paid a flying visit to France after the recent win over Leicester to see PSG face Lyon, but admits that it was only so much help to his plans.
‘It’s difficult to compare because when they play in the league they know they’re going to win it, so maybe the approach is different to the Champions League, added Solskjaer.
‘You get an impression on TV but it’s always nice to see players live, to see different patterns, spaces and principles. We saw how lightning quick (Kylian) Mbappe was. You try to do due diligence, as it’s called, and watch each different opponent.’
The Norwegian was joined by in-form United forward Anthony Martial during Monday’s presser
Martial had to translate a question asked in French to Solskjaer during the last-16 presser
The duo will hope to be smiling at full-time of the Champions League first leg tie on Tuesday
