Paul Pogba was sent off as Paris Saint-Germain won 2-0 at Manchester United to take control of their last-16 Champions League tie, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tasting defeat for the first time since taking charge.
Angel Di Maria bent an early curler wide on his Old Trafford return then Kylian Mbappe missed the target after being sent through on goal by Julian Draxler’s incisive pass.
United lost both Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard to injury, with Alexis Sanchez coming on moments before the interval and Juan Mata introduced for the second half.
David de Gea was tested for the first time in the 53rd minute, diving low to his left to push away Mbappe’s header, but PSG opened the scoring from the resulting corner.
Di Maria’s right-wing delivery curled over Pogba, and Prensel Kimpembe shook off the attentions of Nemanja Matic to send a controlled volley into the roof of De Gea’s net.
PSG almost scored a quickfire second when a thumping drive from Dani Alves flew just wide, but they extended their advantage with a potentially pivotal second on the hour.
Di Maria was again the creator, finding too much space on the left wing to deliver a low cross that Mbappe finished superbly after powering through a gap in the middle of United’s defence.
Solskjaer waited until the 84th minute to send on Romelu Lukaku, but PSG held on comfortably, with United’s misery complete when Pogba was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Alves.
Gotta love it!!! ❤️💙 @KMbappe#MUPSG pic.twitter.com/uFTJhRIVc9
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 12, 2019
What does it mean? Priceless PSG away goals
Thomas Tuchel’s tactics worked to perfection with PSG denying United space to show off their counter-attacking skills, while injuries to Martial and Lingard stifled United. Solskjaer’s side, beaten for the first time in his 12th match, now have a mountain to climb in the French capital next month.
Di Maria thrives despite abuse
Argentina winger Di Maria was subject to abuse from a section of the United fans, although he did perhaps provoke them with his celebrations after PSG’s opening goal. What is certain, is that Di Maria showed far more productivity in his two assists than during his forgettable spell at United.
Pogba goes missing on United’s big night
France international Pogba has been increasingly influential in United’s Premier League recovery, but he lost the midfield battle against the excellent Marco Verratti. Allowing his frustration to boil over in the closing stages with a rash challenge showed his immaturity, and United will miss him in Paris.
What’s next?
PSG are away to Saint-Etienne on Sunday in Ligue 1, with United going to Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round the following day. United will try to overturn their two-goal deficit in Paris when the return leg is played on 6 March.
