Is it safe to call Paris our home away from home? Amidst the endless noise surrounding the clubs slow start and transfer window drama, Manchester United backed up their strong league win with an impressive 2-1 victory to open their Champions League campaign. Glory Glory Man United!
Player Ratings
David De Gea: 9/10
This. This is the David De Gea that was known for carrying us season after season. Every time PSG was able to use their immense talent to get a shot on goal, Dave was there with a strong hand or well placed leg to stifle all the attempts on goal. Magnificent performance coming off a strong previous start against Newcastle.
Alex Telles: 7/10
We have been waiting for this debut and it did not disappoint. Telles ability to whip in crosses and corners was already creating opportunities for the lads, and he has only been with the squad for a handful of training sessions. Very encouraging.
Luke Shaw: 7/10
After an up and down performance against Newcastle, Shaw looked even more comfortable working with a back five in the middle. Strong showing from Shaw.
Victor Lindelof: 7/10
Likewise with Lindelof. He showed that he is capable of being a strong presence in the middle of the defense. Makes good games like this even more agitating when he plays poorly against lower opponents.
Axel Tuanzebe: 8/10
Perhaps the most surprising member of the starting XI. We haven’t seen Axel since 2018 and boy was he good. Flying around, taking on the likes of Mbappe 1 vs 1, he belongs and let’s just pray he stays healthy.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 8/10
Wan-Bissaka has been in the press lately with some off the field stuff but that clearly did not effect him today. Sliding around breaking up attacks, time and time again. Best defensive right back in Europe?
Fred: 7/10
This is the kind of game that United was hoping they would get, back when they signed Fred from Shakhtar. He was always in the right position and was not afraid to get in the mud and go after Neymar and Co.
Scott McTominay: 7/10
McTominay has always been a favorite of mine, if you look back at how I have rated him in the past. He is on an upward trajectory and games like this are why there is so much hope for him.
Bruno Fernandes: 8/10
Oh captain, my captain. Bruno did his thing today while wearing the captains armband. Had a penalty saved but after VAR proved Navas to be off his line, he stepped up and buried it on the second attempt. These performances are becoming just an expectation for Bruno.
Anthony Martial: 5/10
Tony was rusty and it showed. Never really got a foot-hold in the game. A bit unlucky on the own goal but if he got himself in a better position maybe it could’ve been a different outcome. Need more from our #9.
Marcus Rashford: 7/10
A bit of a surprise rating as if 7/10 is bad for the man who netted the game winner. Yes, the goal was great but up to that point he was just slightly off in the final third. One occasion having a breakaway with just the goalie to beat and he decided to try to pass it off for whatever reason. Good not great for Marcus today.
The Substitutes
Paul Pogba: 7/10
Still rounding into form, he made a difference when he got on the field. Providing the final assist to Rashford and being strong on the ball. Here comes Paul Pogba.
Donny Van de Beek: 6/10
A player, that is who DVB is. He is full of pace and creativity and getting to see him on the field for Manchester United against PSG in the Champions league and that not being too big for him, great sign. Wish he could get some more minutes.
Daniel James: 6/10
I have not rated James lately but I was pleased with his performance today. He got to come in on the left which I think really made him feel more comfortable and allowed him to really use his pace as a weapon. If this is the role that Ole starts to use him as, that might be the way to get the most out of young Daniel James
Man Of The Match
Tough call because the MOTM could have gone to several players. My MOTM goes to David De Gea. When you consider the opponent, the stage, the spotlight that has been shining on him, and the kinds of saves he was making, wow was he good. Dean Henderson might have to get comfortable on the bench if David continues to play at this level.
Bonus Manager Rating: 9/10
Ole did a fantastic job in this one. Switching the formation to more of a 5-3-2 to start in an attempt to stifle the PSG attack was a tremendous success. We did not know if Axel was even going to come on as a sub and OGS saw enough in training to throw him into the fire and it worked.
Fred and McTominay proved to the manager that they work well together and Ole trusted them to hold the midfield. After subbing on Pogba and Donny later in the game, Ole switched the formation to more of a diamond. It was nice to see that Ole has some strategic genius in his bag. #OleIn.
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