United v PSG

Posted: 04.02.19 in Darts Performance Centre Blog category

Kylian Mbappe suggests Paris Saint-Germain must be ‘prepared’ when they face Manchester United

Ahead of their Champions League clash next month, striker Kylian Mbappe has spoken out about Manchester United’s recent upturn in form.

The Red Devils are riding the crest of a wave currently after winning their last seven games in a row, with interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær making a strong claim to take the job on a full-time basis.

Paris Saint-Germain and the Red Devils will square off in February, as the second-round of the Champions League gets underway with Mbappe not predicting an easy tie.

What was said?

“People’s point of view of that team may have changed, but ours hasn’t,” Mbappe told BeIN Sport, via Manchester Evening News.

“Manchester United are a big club, this is the same team that were called weak before and now are considered the best, but it’s the same players.

“In football, there are highs and there are lows. They have had some difficult moments, and now they are back in form. It’s a good team and we’ve to prepare for when we play them,” Mbappe added.

The World Cup winner will be one of PSG’s main goal threats as they look to edge out Solskjær’s side, with the French side favourites to progress to the quarter-finals.

Mbappe’s words do suggest that the Parisians are going to treat the fixture with caution, and United’s recent revival proves that they have a realistic chance of progression.

That view is similarly shared by teammate and fellow striker Edinson Cavani, who believes United have a new lease of life now that Jose Mourinho isn’t at the helm.

“I think after the departure of Jose Mourinho Manchester United has a new energy," Cavani said.

"They have started to win matches and have more continuity."

United’s chances

Arguably, it’s the stand out game of the second-round with an abundance of world class talent on display. A month ago, you could only see one winner but now United have finally hit a strong bit of form, it re-opens the debate somewhat.

Realistically, PSG should have too much for their English counterparts but the French champions have typically struggled in the latter part of the competition.

From United’s perspective, they’ll want to remind the rest of Europe of their former glories and there’s no reason why they can’t craft out a win at Old Trafford in the first-leg.

It promises to be a classic and whoever gets the incentive in that first-leg, will give themselves a genuine chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.

With that in mind, United have already shown this season they can get a result away from home as well. The 2-1 win at Juventus in the group stage re-affirmed they still have it in them to mix with Europe’s elite and PSG will need to be wary.

In the run up to the first game on February 12^th, United will need to maintain their strong form to give themselves every chance against Thomas Tuchel’s side. The Red Devils are pitted against some of the Premier League strugglers in the run-up to the game, and you can check out the latest relegation odds on Betfair.

But whatever form United are in when PSG come to town, Mbappe and co. will need to be at their very best to stop the improving Red Devils.