Manchester United vs PSG Preview & Prediction – PSG visit Old Trafford as favourites in a critical game for Thomas Tuchel Updated for December 2024

Updated: 10th December 2024

2020-21 UEFA Champions' League, Group H preview: Manchester United vs. Paris St Germain – Old Trafford – Wednesday, 2 December 2020 – 20:00 BST – Matchday 5 of 6 

Manchester United vs PSG Preview

With just  a point needed to progress into the Round of 16, Manchester United now get ready to face Paris St Germain whom they host at Old Trafford on Wednesday night for a penultimate Group H clash.

The Parisiennes were outmaneuvered in their 1-2 home defeat at Parc Des Princes a month back by Manchester United's Ole  Solskjaer who played three at the back and cut them apart through counter-attacks.

In their 1-0 win over RB Leipzig that helped them stay alive in the tournament, PSG largely have Neymar's early penalty to thank as they came under heavy pressure from their German opponents and somehow hung on to their early lead.

On the domestic front, they have come out of an unconvincing 2-2 draw against Bordeaux after taking a two-goal lead and there were moments in the second half of the game when their less-fancied opponents came close to scoring the winner.

United's progress to the top of Group H has been punctuated only by a surprise 1-2 loss away in Istanbul as they sit on 12 points – a distant seven points away from 2nd placed PSG and 8 away from RB Leipzig whom they had thrashed 5-0 in early November.

Manchester United Champions League form:

WWLW

Manchester United form (all competitions):

LLWWWW

Paris Saint-Germain Champions League form:

LWLW

Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):

WLWLWD

Anthony Martial, who missed the Southampton game through illness, could still be held back by Solksjaer even if the young Frenchman recovers and Cavani after his inspiring weekend show may be asked to start.

David de Gea is also expected to recover from the knock which forced him off at half time against Southampton.

Dean Henderson may still man the posts if United's No.1 goalkeeper is not 100 per cent fit.

Paul Pogba should also be available to make his 50th Champions League appearance following an ankle injury, while Donny van de Beek is expected to get over a minor ankle injury after finally making his first Premier League start in the Southampton win.

Defender Axel Tuanzebe still remains under suspension and will not feature in the Old Trafford clash on Wednesday.

Marcus Rashford, who has so far accumulated five goals from his four Champions League outings this season, will spearhead the attack along with the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Cavani giving him company upfront.

For PSG,  Marquinhos, Julian Draxler and Thilo Kehrer are set to miss the Manchester clash.

The good news is striker Mauro Icardi could be coming off the benches while Idrissa Gueye was also deemed fit enough for a place among the substitutes.

Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera will both be hopeful of a return to a starting lineup which is also set to feature star pair Neymar and Kylian Mbappe,

Manchester United probable starting lineup:

Henderson (goal); Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles; Fred, Matic, Van de Beek; Fernandes; Rashford, Cavani

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

Navas (goal); Florenzi, Diallo, Kimpembe, Bakker; Verratti, Marquinhos, Herrera; Di Maria, Mbappe, Neymar

Manchester United vs PSG Predictions & Verdict

While the PSG frontline of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria is on any given day a fearsome combine, their high pressing game normally leaves the midfield a lot to do when counter-attacked. Which is what United through the speed of Rashford and the guile of Bruno Fernandes and Cavani will want to exploit on Wednesday night.

Given how important it is for PSG to win this one, the odds will be on them to take three pints from the Old Trafford outing.

Manchester United vs PSG UK Bookmaker odds

All the Bet365 odds quoted are subject to change and were correct as of 01/12/2020.

• PSG to win: 7/5
• Man Utd to win: 15/8
• Draw: 5/2

Both teams to score odds

• Yes: 8/15
• No: 11/8

Correct Score odds

• Draw 1-1: 6/1
• PSG 2-1: 17/2 at Bet365 (predicted scoreline)
• Man Utd 2-1: 10/1
• PSG 1-0: 10/1
• Man Utd 1-0: 11/1
• Draw 2-2: 10/1
• PSG 2-0: 12/1
• Draw 0-0: 14/1
• PSG 3-1: 16/1
• Man Utd 3-1: 20/1
• PSG 3-2: 22/1
• Man Utd 3-2: 22/1

Anytime goalscorer odds

• Kylian Mbappe: 20/21
• Neymar: 6/5
• Mauro Icardi: 6/5
• Angel Di Maria: 21/10
• Bruno Fernandes: 15/8 (Skybet)
• Edinson Cavani: 13/8
• Marcus Rashford: 13/8

Relevant news