Manchester United vs PSG: 5 key battles | Champions League 2020-21

#3 Kylian Mbappe (PSG) vs Harry Maguire (Manchester United)

Kylian Mbappe - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg

With nine goals and seven assists in 11 appearances, you would think that Kylian Mbappe has hit the ground running this season. However, he is yet to score in the Champions League this season, something the PSG man would like to rectify against Manchester United.

With Neymar and Di Maria on either flank, Mbappe will start through the middle, and he will fancy running in behind the Manchester United defence at every opportunity.

14 - Since the start of 2017-18, Kylian Mbappe has provided more assists in the Champions League than any other player (14). Generous. #IBFKPSG pic.twitter.com/fp5A5p68h8

— OptaJean (@OptaJean) October 28, 2020

At the heart of the Manchester United defence, Harry Maguire will have his task cut out. One could expect Manchester United to sit deep and not allow any space for the World Cup winner to exploit.

Maguire will be expected to marshal the Manchester United defence against PSG's star-studded attack and ensure the English club get the job done at home. A lot will depend on how the Manchester United captain performs in this matchup.

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#2 Edinson Cavani (Manchester United) vs Marquinhos (PSG)

Edinson Cavani

It is almost poetic that after leaving PSG as their all-time top scorer with 200 goals, Manchester United's Edinson Cavani finds himself in the same group as his former club.

The Uruguayan striker has been given time to settle in at his new club, making multiple appearances as a substitute, with the latest one away to Southampton inspiring Manchester United to a 3-2 comeback win. Allowed to leave PSG after Mauro Icardi was signed permanently, the Uruguayan will be keen to prove to his former bosses that they erred by writing him off.

Edinson Cavani came off the bench to score a brace to help Manchester United to a 3-2 victory over Southampton. https://t.co/rhtP8GAnqz

— Football365 (@F365) November 29, 2020

Standing in Cavani's way will be Marquinhos though, the Brazilian centre-back who credits Cavani for helping the latter improve his game. After the departure of Thiago Silva, Marquinhos has become the leader of the PSG defence. He is vital to the team's fortunes and will need to be at his best to counter Cavani's intelligent movement and lethal finishing.

#1 Neymar (PSG) vs Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United)

Neymar - UEFA Champions League

Neymar and PSG almost reached the promised land in August 2020 in Lisbon, but Bayern Munich proved to be too strong on the day, as the Brazilian could not inspire his side at the final hurdle.

At 28, Neymar is close to his peak and knows he will not have too many chances to lead his side to European glory.

It is nearly impossible to stop him on his day. With four goals and as many assists in a season disrupted by a COVID-19 diagnosis and an adductor problem, Neymar will be looking to kick on against Manchester United.

At the other end, for all of Wan-Bissaka's perceived deficiencies in attack, there has never been a doubt over his contributions in defence. He has been an ever-present for Manchester United and has rarely got injured.

Nicknamed 'The Spider' because of the range of his legs while tackling and lunging for the ball, he has a unique skillset that may help Manchester United's cause. On more than one occasion, an attacker dribbles past the Manchester United right-back, or so it appears, out of nowhere, Wan-Bissaka gets a tackle in, almost always stopping the attack.

Count on Neymar to dribble past Wan-Bissaka, but don't be surprised if Wan-Bissaka manages to win the ball back anyway!