PSG vs Manchester United: 3 things to look out for | Champions League 2018/19

The Recipe

Manchester United v Southampton FC - Premier League

Manchester United need a performance of a life time from every player. More importantly, they need the ball and courage to hold on to it.

United will be craving the first goal which they have secured in most of the matches under Solskjaer. But even if they do not get an early lead they have to be patient but incisive in their play.

The likes of Verratti and Marquinos ran rings around the United midfield at Old Trafford and Di Maria and Draxler ran unhindered in wide areas behind the likes of Herrera and Pogba. This needs to be addressed as United's midfield will be far from first choice and short on European experience.

The strikers need to be at their clinical best as they might not get a flood of chances. The likes of Pereira and Fred need to be swift with ball circulation and quick in falling back into their defensive positions.

McTominay will be expected to screen the defense. His last two appearances must have bolstered his self belief, a welcome surprise to many United aficionados.

Designing the miracle in Paris!

Apart from the players, the manager and his coaches might spring a few surprises of their own. The manager might hoodwink Tuchel by changing his formation and playing Shaw and Dalot as wingbacks.

Against Southampton it worked like a treat in the second half comeback but PSG are clearly no relegation fodder. Furthermore, the likes of Smalling and Bailly are accidents waiting to happen and it might spell catastrophe for United if they go in with three centre-backs. Captain Young continues to give sleepless nights to his own fans and his troubles against Di Maria could return to haunt him.

United will be expected to line up with a midfield diamond that produced exhilarating football and successful outcomes against Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal. However, it failed against PSG as their dexterity and guile on the ball was too much to cope with.

Solskjaer might prefer two midfield sitters in McTominay and Fred to ensure there are no spaces in front of the United centre-backs for Di Maria, Draxler and Mbappe (when he drops deep) to exploit.