Neymar injury: How Paris Saint-Germain could line up in Champions League first leg against Manchester United WITHOUT Brazil superstar

Neymar injury: How Paris Saint-Germain could line up in Champions League first leg against Manchester United WITHOUT Brazil superstar
Manchester United vs Paris Saint-Germain is shaping up to be the pick of the last-16 ties in this season’s Champions League.The Red Devils have been in resurgent form since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took charge, winning their last eight games.7

Solskjaer has won all eight of his games since taking charge of United

Full Champions League last 16 draw

And for quite some time PSG have been one of Europe’s top clubs but they are desperate to take their game to the next level and win the competition.However, it looks like they’ll have to resume their quest without world-record signing Neymar, who sustained a foot injury in a Coupe de France clash last week and is unlikely to be available, according to PSG boss Thomas Tuchel.So how might the French giants line up without one of their star players? talkSPORT.com takes a look at a potential PSG XI for the first leg.7

Neymar left the pitch in tears after sustaining the injury against Strasbourg

Goalkeeper

It’s hard to predict who will get the nod between the sticks as this season has seen Gianluigi Buffon and Alphonse Areola share the duty, making 15 and 17 appearances respectively so far, with both playing three times in the Champions League.However, with what should be a raucous Old Trafford atmosphere an experienced head might be the better bet for Tuchel and Buffon comes out on top in this case.7

Tuchel may choose Buffon for the high stakes game

The Italian has had a glittering career but does not have a Champions League winners medal to his name so may just be that little bit more focused on having a good game but Areola is more than up to the job.

Defence

Neymar’s likely absence and Manchester United’s new high-pressing style of football could see the Ligue 1 giants reshuffle things at the back.They will have learned a lot from their 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season where their defence was swamped on occasions.7

Alves has a wealth of Champions League experience, winning the competition three times

So a back three of Thilo Kehrer, Thiago Silva and Presnel Kimpembe, supported by Dani Alves and Juan Bernat as wing-backs, may be the best course of action.Alves and Bernat could also offer more going forward to slightly make up for Neymar not being available. Thomas Meunier is also an option but has not started the Parisiens’ last three matches so may not make the cut.

Midfield

PSG are also waiting on the fitness of midfield maestro Marco Verratti, who is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.And they will be desperate for him to be available as they really missed the Italian when they lost to Liverpool but he ran the show in the return fixture at the Parc-des-Princes, which PSG won 2-1.7

Liverpool couldn’t deal with Verratti in November and PSG will be hoping he can have a similar effect against United

Canal+ reports that Verratti is confident he will be available for the United game so he could feature in a defensive midfield alongside Marquinhos, to stifle the likes of Paul Pogba, who has been in excellent form since Solskjaer was appointed interim boss.Meanwhile, regular starter and former United player Angel di Maria could play in a more advanced role to support the weakened but still excellent PSG front line. Di Maria will also have a point to prove on his return to Old Trafford.

Attack

It’s usually a trio up front for PSG but it seems like they’ll have to make do with Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe.But that shouldn’t be too much of an issue as both Cavani and Mbappe, who have 20 and 22 goals respectively this season.7

Cavani and Neymar will be looking wreak havoc against a shaky United defence

They are more than capable of doing damage on the United defence where there are still question marks around despite the Premier League side’s recent surge in form.

Starting XI

7

PSG’s potential starting team at Old Trafford

---

Chelsea reach agreement with Juventus over manager Maurizio Sarri. Juventus identified Maurizio Sarri as their No.1 choice to replace Max Allegri and are now close to getting their man

---

Football gossip: Cancelo, Neymar, Draxler, De Ligt, Tielemans, Gueye could be on his way to Manchester City in a deal worth £44m Manchester United are out of the race to sign Matthijs de
Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd done deal, Griezmann confirmed

---

Christian Pulisic explains why he joined Chelsea: 'Their

---

How Chelsea should line up to accommodate N'Golo Kante. Kante should be winning the ball, Jorginho should be firing it into Giroud's feet, Hazard and Pedro should be running in behind.
How Chelsea should line up to accommodate N'Golo Kante
hollywoodadviser.com/how-chelsea-should-line-up-to-accommodate-ngolo-kante/
Kante is not built for this role Sarri's Kante conundrum has revealed itself in recent weeks, with the Frenchman utterly powerless to prevent defensive calamities against Tottenham and Wolves. The new philosophy at Stamford Bridge centres around Jorginho, Chelsea's quarterback, leaving Kante nothing but a useless corridor on the right to attack.
Chelsea predicted line-up vs Arsenal: N'Golo Kante out

---

Maurizio Sarri has stormed out of Chelsea's training session just 24 hours before their Europa League final match against Arsenal. The Blues face their London rivals at Baku's Olympic Stadium on Wednesday evening and were taking part in one of their final training sessions ahead of the match.
Sarri storms off in fury during Blues' training session - See

---

THE international break is over and the Premier League is back. EPL news: injuries, suspensions, team news, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham | FOX SPORTS Football
Manchester United 'agree' £86m huge striker deal as Liverpool

---

Ryan Jack scored the only goal of the match as Rangers recorded a 1-0 win over bitter rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday afternoon.. Jack's 30th-minute effort has seen Rangers beat Celtic in the league for the first time in almost seven years, and has helped Steven Gerrard's side move level on points with their rivals at the top of the division.
Old Firm - Wikipedia

---

The PFA League One Team of the Year has been announced with Daniel Stendel's Barnsley dominating the side with five players. Barnsley goalkeeper Adam Davies and defenders Dimitri Cavare and Ethan Pinnock have been rewarded with a space in the team from the league's best defence, the Tykes conceding 36 goals in 44 games this season.
Barnsley dominate PFA League One Team of the Year

---

Gary Neville has hailed Vincent Kompany's spectacular winner against Leicester as one of the iconic moments of the past 20 years. The Manchester City captain unleashed a thunderbolt from distance

---

The best Tottenham Hotspur content on Planet Football. Featuring exclusive interviews, tributes to great players past and present, brilliant quizzes, videos and much more.

---

Chelsea vs Brighton: Maurizio Sarri gives glowing verdict on Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Teen England star Hudson-Odoi toasted his full Premier League debut by sparking Chelsea's 3

---

Confirmed Who has been promoted in the EFL? Who has been relegated? Final day results confirmed. All eyes are now on the play-offs in the three leagues as the final few teams strive to go up
EFL League Two - Wikipedia

---

DONE DEAL After completing his medical on Saturday, Defoe's loan move to Ibrox has finally been confirmed Rangers have completed the loan signing of striker Jermain Defoe. The former England international - who has 162 Premier League goals to his name - joins on an 18-month loan deal from Bournemouth, subject to international clearance. The…
QPR 2-1 Leeds United LIVE: Confirmed team - football.london

---

Jose Mourinho: Former Man Utd manager reveals next move as axed boss eyes history JOSE MOURINHO has set his sights on a job in France as he ponders a sensational return to management.
Former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho launches sly dig

---

Transfer news: Tottenham ready to steal Andre Gomes from Everton when Barcelona loan deal expires The Portugal midfielder has impressed for the Toffees and Spurs are hoping to hijack their
Arsenal in transfer fight with rivals Spurs over Andre Gomes

---