PARIS • Manchester United travelled to Paris yesterday without 10 first-team players and facing a two-goal deficit, but the odds are not insurmountable for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whose players "feel invincible".
The Red Devils will be boosted for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie by the presence of former manager Alex Ferguson, who was on the same team plane, with Solskjaer's men seeking to invoke the spirit of their European Cup-winning campaign in 1999 against Paris-Saint Germain today.
Such is the squad's self-belief after a run of 12 wins in 15 games in all competitions since the Norwegian took over on an interim basis in December, and they now "feel that every game we are in with a chance to win".
And, after a club-record eight straight away victories, the caretaker boss believes his short-handed team, who will also be without the suspended Paul Pogba, are "not going to go out without giving a fight".
In an interview posted on the club's website, he said: "We can't write games off, we've been fantastic away from home.
"We're going to go out there and enjoy the game. We know it's (Parc des Princes) a difficult place to come and they played really well at Old Trafford, so it's a great challenge for our players to go out there and show what they can do.
"They go into away games now knowing that we can defend well and we've got pace on the counter. They've been very confident away from home so hopefully, we can take that to Paris because we have to - we're playing against top, top players."
NOT SITTING BACK
We'd rather win 4-2 than try to get a 2-0. We've got to get to half-time better off than we are now. If you can get to 1-0 at half-time, then anything can happen in the second half.
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER, Manchester United interim manager, hinting that his team will attack from the start.
PLAYING WITHOUT FEAR
With the injuries we've got, the position we're in, going to Paris is a tough place to go... but the really impressive performances have been away from home. The players they've got are suited to playing away from home.
RYAN GIGGS, United legend and Wales manager, on his former team having what it takes to beat PSG today.
Pinpointing his aim to at least pull back a goal in the first half, Solskjaer added: "We'd rather win 4-2 than try to get a 2-0. We've got to get to half-time better off than we are now. If you can get to 1-0 at half-time, then anything can happen in the second half.
"They are confident going into the game, even knowing that we are 2-0 down... we have got loads of injuries, but there's a few boys here that will want to be part of it.
"Certainly, for our players, they know what we are capable of and we have spoken about it. They know that they are part of a special club that can do something like this.
"We have got to go for it. We have a mountain to climb, but we have quality players."
While United have been forced to bring along five academy players after a growing casualty list including Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Antonio Valencia, Matteo Darmian, Anthony Martial, Phil Jones and Alexis Sanchez, club great Ryan Giggs thinks a comeback win is "not impossible".
Speaking at a Champions League trophy tour event in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Wales manager backed calls for Solskjaer to take the reins on a full-time basis, saying: "I can't see anyone past Ole at the moment. The record they've had in the league has been phenomenal.
"It's a tough league and to put together the run that he's done, it's impressive.
"With the injuries we've got, the position we're in, going to Paris is a tough place to go... but the really impressive performances have been away from home.
"The players they've got are suited to playing away from home."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
PSG V MAN UNITED
Singtel TV Ch110 & StarHub Ch214, tomorrow, 3.55am
David de Gea is determined to prove he remains a world-class goalkeeper and will start against Huddersfield Town on Sunday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed. The under-fire Manchester United
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sets out stance on David De Gea ahead of
LEGENDS. Neymar visits Pele in the hospital hours before the 78-year-old's discharge. Photo from Neymar's Instagram . PARIS, France - Neymar has paid a visit to Brazilian football legend Pele
Neymar visits recovering Pele in hospital - Punch Newspapers
Fantasy Football Interview; A league winner on a mission… When one focuses on the country of Norway, they immediately may think of the beautiful fjords, or maybe the Midnight Sun, Christmas trees, trolls or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Page 4 - Top 5 footballers of 2018 - sportskeeda.com
Guardiola stressed the need for calm during the title run-in, saying the quality of their Premier League opponents means there will be plenty of surprise results between now and the end of the campaign. "Three or four days ago we were already done, the champions were Liverpool," Guardiola told reporters on Tuesday. "Now we can be leading.
Premier League: Pep Guardiola predicts roller-coaster title
Nov 14, 2014 · SAO PAULO (AP) — A Brazilian hospital says Pele is "recovering well" after undergoing surgery to remove kidney stones. The Albert Einstein hospital said in a statement Friday that the 74-year
Pele 'recovering well' after kidney stones surgery - Yahoo Sports
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino considers his two-match touchline ban for confronting referee Mike Dean to be "completely unfair" and has hinted at an appeal.. The Spurs boss has been
Pochettino feels touchline ban is 'completely unfair'
SINGAPORE - As he ushered in 2019 on Tuesday (Jan 1), local football starlet Ikhsan Fandi had just one New Year resolution - to earn a playing contract in Europe. On Thursday morning, just over a day after his older brother Irfan flew to join Thai League 2 club Bangkok Glass, the 19-year-old headed to Norway for a trial with Raufoss IL.
Ikhsan Fandi scores 1st goal for Norwegian club Raufoss with
Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first clean sheet Soccer Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Fulham - St James Park, Newcastle, Britain - December 22, 2018 Fulhams Joe Bryan in action with Newcastle Uniteds Kenedy REUTERS/Scott Heppell (Reuters) - NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 FULHAM 0
Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first clean sheet
Manchester City swept back to the top of the Premier League as Gabriel Jesus struck twice in the champions' 3-1 win over Everton, while Christian Eriksen kept Tottenham in the title hunt in a last
Jesus shines as City regain top spot, Eriksen fires Spurs
The home of Saudi Arabia Football on BBC Sport online. Includes the latest news stories, results, fixtures, video and audio.
China dreaming of Asian and World Cup double, says official
Reds the hungrier side, says Van Dijk. Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker, is expecting "a game full of passion" against Everton today at Goodison Park, which will
Reds the hungrier side, says Van Dijk - theworldnews.net
Sep 20, 2017 · Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts on the field in the 4th quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship in Tampa Florida on
Tigers' next foe: Royals riding high as they visit Comerica Park
Celtic can stun Zenit if we execute game plan to perfection reckons Chris Davies. The Hoops No.2 admits no stone has been left unturned ahead of Thursday's vital Europa League last 32 clash with
ARSENAL v Manchester United: Thomas Vermaelen not to be
0 comments:
Post a Comment