Manchester United 1 - 3 Paris Saint Germain: Missed opportunities come back to haunt United

On a night where where Manchester United needed merely a point to progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League, the French team took home all three back to Paris.

Manchester United 1 - 3 Paris Saint Germain: Missed opportunities come back to haunt United
Fred argues with Mbappe, Getty Images
tom-milo
By Tom Millington

Manchester United squandered the opportunity to progress in the Champions League on Tuesday evening despite a spirited performance that saw Fred receive a red card.

Ole's men created several great opportunities throughout the course of the game but ultimately it was a night that Paris Saint Germain fans will look back on more fondly.

Story of the game

United began the game lively and in the 6th minute Marcus Rashford found himself in great space but couldn't capitalise on the opportunity despite his best efforts.

Last year's finalists were to dominate the next period of the game.

Less than 60 seconds later, Kylian Mbappe ghosted past several United players and his strong effort deflected off Victor Lindelof and fell straight into Neymar's path. The Brazilian found the bottom of the corner and PSG were in the ascendency.

Florenzi was the next Paris player to trouble Solskjaer's men as he forced a fine save from David de Gea and whipped in several crosses dangerous crosses - United dealt with them well.

The game's focus then moved to an incident involving Fred and Paredes. The Brazilian midfielder could have very easily seen red and United would've been down to 10 men after he pushed his head into Paredes.  

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Counting themselves lucky to still have 11 men on the field, the home side had the best of the action for the remainder of the half.

Rashford's effort deflected off Diallo into the bottom corner of the goal, giving the second half a completely different complexion. 

The second half began with United's best play of the evening. 

In the 49th minute, Edinson Cavani and Rashford linked up perfectly, with the play resulting in Anthony Martial seeing his effort soar over the bar.

United continued to look dangerous through counter attacks, predominantly down the right hand side - one seeing Cavani's chipped effort bouncing back into play off the crossbar. Bruno Fernandes found himself in possession and played in Martial who's effort was subsequently blocked.

Marquinhos hit the top of the crossbar with a looping header in the 63rd minute via a corner.

De Gea made a save that reminded us all why he is a world class goalkeeper in the 68th minute - the resulting corner, however, led to a goal for the visitors as Marquinhos poked the ball past de Gea.

With PSG leading 2-1, the last thing United needed was a red card.

However, despite winning the ball, Fred received a second yellow card and was given his marching orders. He had won the ball but had already put himself in the referee's bad books for the push of his head in the first half.

United continued to threaten despite Fred's dismissal as Harry Maguire knocked the ball back to Paul Pogba on the edge of the box, but his volley flew narrowly over the woodwork.

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United were made to pay for not taking their chances in the first minute of added time as Neymar took on a handful on united players and raced into Paris' attacking half. The ball was played to Rafinha who squared the ball into Neymar's path and the Brazilian wasn't going to miss.

The full time whilst blew and PSG were 3-1 victors. 

What this means

United can still qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League with a draw away to RB Leipzig.

United, PSG and Leipzig are all on 9 points, meaning all three teams can still qualify on Matchday 6.

United could have sealed the deal on Tuesday evening, especially after creating a hatful of chances; but it wasn't to be and it is all to play for on the final day of the group stage.