PSG stars touch down in Manchester ahead of crunch Champions League last 16 clash with in-form United
- Paris Saint Germain touched down in Manchester for the crunch European clash
- The French champions will meet United in the Champions League last -16 round
- Kylian Mbappe was with the travelling party and will lead the line at Old Trafford
- PSG are without Neymar and could also be missing star striker Edinson Cavani
Paris Saint Germain have touched down in Manchester for a crunch European meeting with a United side who look vastly transformed under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The reigning French champions are among the favourites to win the competition this season, though must first overcome a last-16 opening leg clash at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
The stars of PSG boarded their team plane on Monday morning, ready to make the short flight from the French capital to north west England.
Kylian Mbappe was among the first out of the airport as PSG touched down in Manchester
The PSG stars were all decked out in club attire, with white club-branded hoodies and trousers
Marco Verratti (c) was next off, followed by Angel Di Maria (L) who will face his former club
Manager Thomas Tuchel carries the weight of expectation to get PSG into the next round
Mbappe was in high spirits as Paris Saint Germain boarded their flight for Manchester
Mbappe and Moussa Diaby made their way on board together, each carrying small coffees
Diaby sipped away while the club’s social media channel videoed him boarding the plane
Legendary ‘keeper Gianluigi Buffon was deep in conversation with playmaker Marco Verratti
Verratti and Buffon were filmed making their way up the steps to board PSG’s aircraft
Documenting their journey, PSG were active across social media platforms to keep their global fanbase up to date on the team’s whereabouts.
Legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon boarded the aircraft while deep in conversation with playmaker Marco Verratti, with both men looking calm and composed ahead of what is their biggest game of the season to date.
Wonderkid Kylian Mbappe rocked up with a small coffee, smiling and nodding to the cameras before making his way inside with close friend and team-mate Moussa Diaby.
French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola blocked out the noise with headphones and headed in
Young German defender Thilo Kehrer was also snapped by the PSG photographers
The Parisians also documented their journey, from take-off through to touchdown
Mbappe and German winger Julian Draxler stopped to sign autographs after landing
Mbappe will lead the line for Thomas Tuchel’s side at Old Trafford, and will be expecting to provide additional flair and impetus in the absence of talisman Neymar.
The mercurial Brazilian has been ruled out of Tuesday’s match due to a re-occurrence of a foot injury, which he is working to recover from.
PSG could also be without main goal threat Edinson Cavani, after the Uruguayan limped off during a recent Ligue 1 victory over Bordeaux.
Tuchel rested several names for the meeting, due to PSG’s solid status at the top of Ligue 1, and it was Cavani himself who scored from the penalty spot before later picking up an injury.
Edinson Cavani is set to miss PSG’s Champions League clash against the Red Devils
Manager Tuchel admitted the situation wasn’t great as Cavani limped off vs Bordeaux
Speaking last week, Tuchel told reporters in France that the chances of Cavani appearing at Old Trafford are slim.
‘We don’t have good news for Edi. My feeling is that it will be very difficult for him to play,’ said manager Thomas Tuchel after the tie.
‘The club will wait a little longer, but in my opinion the news will not be good. Hope is very, very small.’
Tuchel had kept the likes of Leandro Paredes and Mbappe in reserve ahead of the last-16 first leg in Manchester.
PSG have however already proven their ability in overcoming English opposition this season, after beating Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool during the group stage in Paris.
