Manchester United vs Paris Saint-Germain: 5 players to watch out for | UEFA Champions League 2020-21

Edinson Cavani is likely to lead Manchester United's attack against Paris Saint-Germain
Edinson Cavani is likely to lead Manchester United's attack against Paris Saint-Germain

Manchester United will be looking to make it three wins in a row against Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain as they come to pay the Red Devils a visit at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men registered a 2-1 win over PSG in the reverse fixture and the Parisians will be baying for blood.

Paris Saint-Germain have not been in great form and have only two wins from their last five matches. This had forced Neymar Jr. to raise a clarion call to urge his teammates to come together to work as a team if they are to have any chance of beating Manchester United who seem to be improving with every passing week.

Without further ado, let's take a look at five players we need to keep an eye out for as these European giants clash in a high-profile matchup in the UEFA Champions League.


#5 Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford is the one who banged in that penalty in the 2018-19 Champions League Round of 16 to send the United fans into euphoria and break the hearts of the Paris Saint-Germain faithful.

The last time these two sides met, which was last month, the game was equally poised at 1-1 till a scintillating strike from the Manchester born and bred youngster in the 87th minute sealed the tie in Manchester United's favour.

Rashford has the habit of upping his game against top quality opposition and it is something he has done consistently over his career so far. This is the kind of setup which he revels in and against Paris Saint-Germain at home, Rashford's pace and directness will be one of Manchester United's main weapons.

#4 Neymar Jr. (Paris Saint-Germain)

Neymar Jr.
Neymar Jr.

Neymar will turn up at Old Trafford on the back of two excellent performances, first against RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League and subsequently in Ligue 1 against Bordeaux.

Neymar was easily the difference between Leipzig and PSG last week as the two sides clashed and he scored the goal that would settle the tie and give Parais Saint-Germain renewed hope of making it to the Round of 16.

The mercurial talent couldn't get up to much the last time these two sides met. A wounded animal is a dangerous one and for this reason, Neymar Jr. might just go on to turn in an incredible individual performance that would fit the occasion.

#3 Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United)

Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Manchester United's friendly neighbourhood spiderman, Aaron Wan-Bissaka was an absolute beast in the reverse fixture. Playing alongside Axel Tuanzebe in what initially looked like a depleted Manchester United defence, Wan-Bissaka and his partner afforded no room to exploit for the menacing Paris Saint-Germain attack.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka kept up stride for stride with Kylian Mbappe and hardly ever let the Frenchman ]get a shot away. Wan-Bissaka is one of the toughest one-on-one defenders in the Premier League and he relishes these contests against speedy tricksters.

As such, this will be an occasion that Aaron Wan-Bissaka will be licking his lips about and the pressure will be on his opponents as they show up at Manchester United's yard to get the better of them. That's no easy task.

#2 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)

Kylian Mbappe in action
Kylian Mbappe in action

One of the most exciting attackers in the world, Kylian Mbappe is a player to watch out for in every single match that he features. His quick feet and sublime pace is usually enough to upend entire defences but Mbappe hasn't found much joy over the past two games.

He had also not found much joy against Manchester United, when the Red Devils came to the Parc des Princes last month, going up against the athletic Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe.

The Paris Saint-Germain faithful will be hoping that Kylian Mbappe will have learnt his lessons from those outings and will be much better equipped to handle the challenge posed by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Mbappe has scored nine goals from eight appearances in the Ligue 1 so far. However, he is yet to open his tally in the UEFA Champions League.

#1 Edinson Cavani (Manchester United)

Kicking into form at the right time
Kicking into form at the right time

The architect of Manchester United's inspiring comeback win over Southampton in the weekend, former Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani will be raring to have a go at his former club for the way he was shown the exit door despite all his great service for them over the years.

Cavani couldn't feature in Manchester United's first game against Paris Saint-Germain but he looks fit and prepared to lead Manchester United's attack against Thomas Tuchel's men.

The Red Devils have been without a proper centre-forward for the longest time and the effect Cavani has already had on this side is telling. He made a difference in their 4-1 win over Istanbul Basaksehir with his excellent movement and slick passing.

With players like Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de Beek in behind him and the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial or Greenwood on either side, this Manchester United attack is as threatening as they come.

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Edited by Shambhu Ajith
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