Two things we learned: Paris Saint-Germain 1-3 Manchester United

Manchester United managed to stun Paris Saint-Germain on the road as they secured their berth in the quarter-final stage of the Champions League. The Red Devils were trailing Les Parisiens by a 2-0 score after the first leg of the round of 16 clash at Old Trafford, but they managed to make a sensational comeback with a 3-1 triumph at Parc des Princes which saw them progress on the away goal rule.

Romelu Lukaku scored on either side of Kylian Mbappe’s strike for Paris Saint-Germain in the first period, but the game was defined right at the end after United were handed a controversial penalty through the VAR in the fourth minute of injury time. Marcus Rashford stepped up to convert the effort against Gianluigi Buffon and ensure that United produced one of their best-ever comebacks in history.

Two things we learned:

Ole continues to exceed expectations: Interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already earned plaudits for transforming the club’s fortunes in the Premier League where they are currently occupying the fourth position. However, very few would have expected the same against Les Parisiens on the road, given the team were dealing with the absence of 10 first-team players. With the stunning turnaround at Parc des Princes, the Norwegian is surely the favourite to acquire the permanent managerial role, given the hierarchy don’t have any reasons to decline him with the chance. United have suffered just one loss under Ole’s tutelage since he took charge in mid-December.

Paris Saint-Germain suffer another European setback: Paris Saint-Germain seemed favourites to progress to the quarter final stage until the dying seconds of the game where a Presnel Kimpembe handball handed United the advantage through the penalty spot. The result should no doubt hurt both the players and the hierarchy alike, but there could also be question marks regarding Thomas Tuchel’s managerial reign at the club. The German tactician was reluctant to bring Edinson Cavani onto the field until United grabbed their third goal, and the decision is sure to bring criticism despite the Uruguayan only recently returning from a thigh injury. Les Parisiens have now bowed out at the round of 16 stage in each of the past three seasons.

Image – Getty