SM
Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid: 13 hrs 21 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
MU
Champions League | Round of 16
Feb 12, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
PL

0-2

 
FT(HT: 0-0)
Kimpembe (53'), Mbappe (60')

Combined XI: Manchester United vs. Paris Saint-Germain

:Headline: Combined XI: Manchester United vs. Paris Saint-Germain: ID:350040: from db_amp
Ahead of Tuesday's Champions League showdown between Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, Sports Mole selects its strongest combined XI from both squads.

Manchester United host Paris Saint-Germain in a mouth-watering first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night.

The Red Devils have roared back to form under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has overseen 10 wins and a draw from his 11 matches at the helm so far.

However, that unbeaten start will face its toughest test yet on Tuesday as the runaway Ligue 1 leaders PSG continue their bid to lift the Champions League for the first time.

Here, Sports Mole selects its strongest combined XI, using only players available for Tuesday's match.



Gianluigi Buffon will rightly go down as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time when he eventually hangs up his gloves, but he has been embroiled in a battle for PSG's number one spot with Alphonse Areola all season whereas David de Gea now looks to be back at his world-class best for United.

It is an all-PSG defence in front of him, though, including a spot for veteran full-back Dani Alves. The Brazilian missed a large chunk of the campaign through injury and has been playing in central midfield lately, but it is impossible to ignore his reputation as a right-back, particularly with Thomas Meunier and Antonio Valencia both injured.

Thiago Silva and Presnel Kimpembe are relatively easy choices ahead of the likes of Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof, Phil Jones and Eric Bailly, despite United's significant improvement defensively under Solskjaer. Marquinhos was also in contention at either centre-back or central midfield, but narrowly misses out on both counts.

Luke Shaw was the closest United defender to earning a place in the team, but Juan Bernat has been a very steady presence for PSG when called upon this season and narrowly beats the United full-back to the left side of defence.

PSG have been boosted by the news that Marco Verratti is fit to play in this match, and he makes it into central midfield alongside the in-form Paul Pogba, who has re-established himself as United's main man under Solskjaer and added another two goals to his growing tally at the weekend.

Anthony Martial was also on the scoresheet on Saturday with a goal which drew comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo, although the United winger benefits from an injury to Neymar to earn his place in the side ahead of Julian Draxler on current form.

It is a similar story for Marcus Rashford, who has been in fine form for United since being made their number one striker but would usually have to play second fiddle to Edinson Cavani had it not been for the hip injury which looks set to rule the Uruguayan out of this match.

Kylian Mbappe is therefore the only member of PSG's vaunted front three to make this team, although the teenager is arguably the most important of trio from PSG's perspective having outscored both Neymar and Cavani this season.

Angel Di Maria also makes the XI in the number 10 role, and he will have a point to prove against his former club having become one of the most high-profile United flops in recent years during one unhappy and unsuccessful season at Old Trafford.

amp_article__350040 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-02-12 08:18:57:
html db last update - 2021-03-07 11:34:05 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Read more!
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Manchester CityMan City33237380324876
3Liverpool34228475344174
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton331111115254-244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .