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Arsenal v Manchester United: Man charged with Smalling assault

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Chris Smalling was confronted in the 70th minute of the match at the Emirates Stadium

A man has been charged with assaulting Manchester United defender Chris Smalling during a Premier League match at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.

Gary Cooper, 30, of Styventon Place, Chertsey, Surrey, is charged with common assault and encroaching on to the playing area.

He was bailed to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on 26 March.

The charge relates to an incident about 70 minutes into Sunday's match which Arsenal won 2-0.

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Ex-Premier League referee gives verdict on Arsenal's penalty against Manchester United

Manchester United fans will agree with the verdict of former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher on Arsenal’s penalty at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Leading 1-0 after Granit Xhaka’s long-range effort, the Gunners were gifted an opportunity to double their advantage and put the game beyond doubt when Fred was judged to have fouled Alexandre Lacazette inside the area.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stepped-up to dispatch the penalty, sealing all three points for Arsenal and inflicting the first domestic defeat of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s stint with Manchester United.

A variety of opinions on the decision have been shared by pundits and fans, many of whom believe the officials made the wrong call, and experienced former referee Gallagher agrees with those views, sharing his verdict on the controversial decision after being asked whether it should have resulted in a penalty.

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  “I think no. I can understand why the referee gave it from his position. When you see it front on he doesn’t trip him, which is why I think the referee thought to give it,” he told Sky Sports News.

“There is a slight coming together with the thighs but that is not enough to give a penalty.”

Defeat for United saw Solskjaer’s side slip to fifth in the table, two points behind Arsenal and just one point ahead of Chelsea, setting up a fierce battle in the final months of the campaign to secure Champions League football next season.

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Mike Phelan sends message to Manchester United fans after Arsenal defeat

Manchester United assistant Mike Phelan has urged supporters to stick with the team after their first defeat in 13 Premier League matches.

United fell to a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal, ending Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's unbeaten domestic start as caretaker manager, and his 100% away record.

Phelan was brought in to assist Solskjaer in December when Jose Mourinho was sacked, and the former number two under Sir Alex Ferguson has quickly rekindled his fond relationship with United fans.

In particular, fans have loved Phelan's use of social media, and he was at it again after the defeat at the Emirates on Sunday.

United were beaten by a long-range Granit Xhaka strike that wrong-footed David de Gea, and a debatable penalty in the second half by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

However, United fans at the Emirates were in fine voice throughout the defeat, and the response after the game has been a grounded one on social media.

And Phelan praised the fans once more on Twitter.

Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United reaction

  He said: "Thanks for your support today, in the ground, watching TV and on social media.

"In victory we deserve it. In defeat we need it. We go again."

United are now two points behind Arsenal in the race for a top four finish, with Chelsea a point behind in sixth but with a game in hand.

Solskjaer and Phelan have masterminded a turnaround that has given United a fighting chance of the Champions League next season, and they now have eight games left to finish the job.

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Why Chelsea Need to Spurn RB Leipzig's Advances & Make Tammy Abraham Their Main Striker Next Season

Young English players are rapidly becoming a very valuable commodity In Germany. Jadon Sancho, Reiss Nelson and Reece Oxford have all been dazzling for their respective Bundesliga clubs this summer, and sides in the German top tier are starting to take notice, with a host of other English starlets being closely monitored by hungry eyes.

The latest to cause a buzz is Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, who has been absolutely tearing it up on his (latest) loan spell this season, where he's scored 21 goals in 29 appearances for Championship side Aston Villa. RB Leipzig are thought to be keen, and could land the 21-year-old for a bargain £20m this summer.

Now, ​Chels​ea have earned themselves a bit of a reputation for not cherishing their rising stars. Back in 2012, a prominent sports writer quipped that Roman Abramovich is 'to managers what King Herod was to a successful youth policy'. 

Seven years on, he's shown himself to be just as callous with academy players as he has been with coaches. Though, in all fairness, without the fatalities overseen by the aforementioned tyrant.

In recent times, they've nurtured the likes of Nathan Aké, Nathaniel (why all the Nathans?!) Chalobah, Bertrand Traoré and Oriol Romeu, before selling them on for chickenfeed before they reach their full potential. It begs the question: Just what is the point?

Then there's the loan army, which is becoming as swollen with bodies as Blazin' Squad back in their early '00s prime. To put it simply - upcoming players aren't rewarded for their development at Chelsea the way they should be, and that needs to change. Just look at the Callum Hudson-Odoi saga last January, where the club nearly lost their most promising prospect in years.

Now, this isn't a rant about Chelsea's youth policy, that's been covered enough, to the point of tedium, I might add. So, thinking positivity, the Blues have an absolute cracker of an academy product in Tammy Abraham - and he's the very man to lead the line for the club next season.

This pesky transfer ban hanging over Chelsea's head may well be overturned - or more likely, postponed - but either way, the club are likely to still be able to do some shopping in the summer. ​Gonzalo Higuaín will undoubtably be Maurizio Sarri's chosen option, he's loyal to the point of madness at times - just look at his dogged persistence with Jorginho.

Of course, Higuaín is a proven goalscorer across Europe's elite leagues, and has already banged a few in for the Blues since arriving on loan in January. But the man is going to be 32 this year, and is certainly not the future of the club.

Abraham, on the other hand, is a blinding spark just waiting to set the Premier League alight. Granted, he didn't have a particularly impressive loan spell in the English top tier, but he's a stronger, more savvy player now, and will be simply brimming with confidence off the back of a stellar campaign with the Villans.

If Chelsea have any bottle, and any real long-term thinking (judging by the rate at which they sack managers, they might well not), they should take a gamble on the England international, and back him to bag them the goals next season. Tottenham Hotspur enviably did it with ​Harry Kane, and there's no reason why the Blues can't do it with Abraham.

Let's face it, the Blues aren't going to win the Premier League title next season - the opposition 

are far too strong. So why not take a gamble? Have Higuaín there by all means, and rotate where necessary, but give the charismatic Abraham that number nine shirt, and let him finally vanquish its Stamford Bridge curse.

Just imagine the joy of seeing Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Hudson-Odoi and Abraham all starting for Chelsea on a regular basis next season. The club have let their academy fruit wither on the vine - or, slashed it down and flogged it off to the highest bidder - far too readily in recent times, and putting their faith in the towering striker would be a powerful step in the right direction.

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Kylian Mbappe reveals what has happened to him since Man Utd beat PSG

Kylian Mbappé says he has not been able to sleep since Manchester United dumped Paris Saint-Germain out of the Champions League on away goals in spectacular fashion on Wednesday night. 

Marcus Rashford netted a 93rd-minute penalty to send United through to the quarter-finals of the competition after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side became the first team in the history of the European Cup to reverse a two-goal deficit in a second-leg away from home.

United were 2-1 up at the end of the first half, despite PSG's dominance, and the Ligue 1 side might have put the tie to bed had Mbappé exhibited his usually-clinical finishing with a pair of gilt-edged chances.

But the World Cup winner was short of his expected form and United capitalised with their most memorable European night since the Champions League win in 1999.

And Mbappé says the defeat has affected PSG's squad deeply.

"The stadium was full, the supporters did their job and supported us," the 20-year-old told French outlet Téléfoot.

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"It was a magnificent atmosphere and we spoiled the party.

"I'm stunned, there are no words. I've not been able to sleep, I think it's been the same for everyone."

PSG have now been humiliated twice in the Champions League knock-out stages after United's comeback followed the precedent set by Barcelona's reversal of a 4-0 deficit by winning 6-1 at the Camp Nou in 2017.

Questions were raised regarding the strength of character in the PSG dressing room, but Mbappé says he remains confident his side can forge a route to success in Europe.

"I think there are lots of people who doubt," he said. "But I still believe in this project. I'm sure that we'll manage to do something special because the supporters are behind us and I hope it continues that way."

Today's top Manchester United stories

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tells Manchester United youngsters to emulate two Class of 92 stars

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told the club's emerging youth prospects to follow the example set by David Beckham and Ryan Giggs if they want to forge a career at Manchester United.

The caretaker boss hasn't been afraid to give youngsters a chance during his 17 games in charge and he took five academy teenagers to Paris in midweek for the Champions League victory.

James Garner, Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong and Mason Greenwood made the bench, with the latter two coming on, and all four have featured at some point under Solskjaer.

The talent at the club has led to suggestions there could be a Class of 2019 emerging to rival the Class of '92 that proved so successful under Sir Alex Ferguson .

While Solskjaer "loves" working with the young players, he has sent them a message on how to press their claims for more first-team involvement.

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  “I love to work with teams that play forward, run forward, chase the ball and work harder than the opposition," he said.

“Giggsy and Becks used to do the graveyard shift, running up and down that line. “They didn't just stand there waiting for the ball to deliver, they worked their socks off.

“When you play for Manchester United, you can't just think 'I'm talented, I'll just do my magic when I get the ball'.

“That's not enough – and it's not going to be good enough if we want to challenge the top two.”

Solskjaer is yet to be appointed permanent manager at United, but whoever is in charge in the summer is likely to have a significant budget with which to improve the squad.

Mason Greenwood made his United debut at Paris Saint-Germain

But Solskjaer is determined to continue bringing players through from the academy, as well as bringing a few new faces in.

“We always know that players are going to come through," said Solskjaer.

“When we had reserve-team coaches like Warren (Joyce), I remember it being the hardest training sessions and hardest days you can imagine.

“But that's what they have to get through because if youngsters and going to get past the first-team players they have to train harder than everyone else.

“Then the first-team players look at them and think 'they're fitter than me, they work harder than me, their going to take my position, so I need to step up my game. That's what we want to do.

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  “We want to bring youngsters through, but we want one or two signings as well.”

Solskjaer is well versed in the United DNA, which is why he is so keen to promote from within, just as Sir Matt Busby and Ferguson did. As well as the four teenagers who made the bench, Manchester-born left-back Brandon Williams also travelled to Paris, making up the five Solskjaer starlets.

“I absolutely love coaching and managing and helping players to improve their careers," he said.

“And when you're in a club like this, that's exactly what you do. It is what the gaffer did, what Sir Matt did, Louis (van Gaal), Jose (Mourinho).

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  “We have all given debuts to young players and I am sure they are the same as me thinking 'I gave him his debut'.

“When I saw Paul Pogba win the World Cup, I thought about when I coached him when he was 17.

“Now he's a World Cup winner and I am coaching him again.

“It's great to see the achievements of the players you work with because I was happy with my career anyway.”

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Man United's squad success and resurgence in top four race proves Solskjaer deserves the job

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is not short of reasons to hand Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the manager's job on a full-time basis, but he probably didn't have the names of Fred, Scott McTominay and Andreas Pereira on that list until Wednesday night in Paris.

When, rather than if, Woodward confirms Solskjaer as United's permanent manager in the coming weeks, he will be able to justify the appointment on several levels.

First and foremost, Solskjaer has had a transformative effect on United's results to the extent that they travel to Arsenal on Sunday knowing that a win will put them four points clear of the Gunners and give them a firm grip on a top-four spot and the Champions League qualification that comes with it. Unai Emery's side might seem to be on the ropes again following a 3-1 defeat at Rennes in the Europa League on Thursday, but they represent yet another test for Solskjaer, albeit one his side should pass.

- EXCLUSIVE: Fred's 'best moment' beating PSG - Ogden: Solskjaer the only choice for United

When Solskjaer took charge last December, following the sacking of Jose Mourinho, a top-four finish appeared to be out of the question, with United drifting dangerously off-course, a full 11 points off fourth. Closing that gap, and guiding United into the top four, has been Solskjaer's biggest achievement because everything else -- the upbeat mood, renewed form of key players, optimism among the supporters -- has its origins in their success on the pitch.

It's time to find a way to fix the Champions League -- or start a European super league.

ESPN+ is America's home for a host of professional soccer leagues from around the world, highlighted by Italy's Serie A, Major League Soccer, UEFA Nations League and English FA Cup. | ESPN+ schedule

Wednesday's remarkable Champions League triumph against Paris Saint-Germain, when United overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit to go through on away goals following a 3-1 win at the Parc des Princes, will go down as one of the club's greatest-ever European nights. But the belief that they could win ultimately stemmed from the self-confidence generated during Solskjaer's 11 weeks "at the wheel" as caretaker manager.

So when Woodward and United's owners, the Glazer family, get around to finalising Solskjaer's permanent contract and the small matter of compensation to his former club Molde, they won't need to explain why the 46-year-old will be tasked with taking the team forward.

But behind the wins, glory nights and form surges of players like Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku, the performances of Fred, McTominay and Pereira, plus those of Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling, suggest Solskjaer is the best man for the job. Players who were seemingly frozen out by Mourinho have been re-energised by Solskjaer and have become valuable contributors when called upon.

Similarly, Solskjaer's readiness to give opportunities to homegrown teenagers Mason Greenwood and Tahith Chong as substitutes in Paris -- albeit as a result of injuries to senior players -- is another point in his favour.

United are a wealthy club with big financial resources, but having spent the past six years focusing too heavily on knowing the cost of everything rather than the value, Solskjaer is showing that there is a way to combine big spending with a well-functioning production line. And in Paris, he showed Woodward and the Glazers that, even with a lengthy injury list, he could put out a team capable of winning against the French champions.

Mourinho handed McTominay his senior debut during his spell in charge and gave the young midfielder 14 starts last season, but it always seemed as though the Scotland international was being selected for the wrong reasons -- namely as a warning to Pogba, designed to make the point that his position in the side was under threat.

Pereira was taken on summer tours and spoken of in glowing terms by Mourinho, but the Brazil international was always on the fringes when the competitive games came around. And as for Fred, last summer's £52m signing from Shakhtar Donetsk, Mourinho couldn't dump him from the first team quickly enough after watching him make a slow start to life in English football.

While Mourinho often turned to Marouane Fellaini, who was sold at the first opportunity by Solskjaer, the Norwegian backed Fred to perform in Paris, and the Brazilian repaid him with a big performance despite having made just six appearances in 17 games for the caretaker manager.

McTominay and Pereira also rose to the occasion, as did Dalot, and their collective ability to prove a point was one of the crucial elements of Wednesday night's win that has gone unnoticed. All of a sudden, Solskjaer has developed a group of players he and United can rely on in a big game.

United will travel to Arsenal on Sunday with Solskjaer knowing he can trust Fred, McTominay, Pereira and others to perform if he is without his more established stars. He'll need them to excel at the Emirates, too, given Gunners' league form -- eight wins and two draws from their last 14 matches -- since battling to a 2-2 result at Old Trafford in early December.

Solskjaer's ability to get great performances from the current squad is why appointing him full-time makes sense to Woodward and the Glazers. He has shown he can develop underperforming or underrated players, which means he will save the club money in the transfer market. Without question, United will strengthen in the summer, but by raising his existing squad players to a new level and seeing them perform in the toughest circumstances, the search for talent can now be centred on quality rather than quantity.

United's excellent results in the Premier League and Champions League will claim the headlines, but by proving that United have a deeper squad than Mourinho would accept, Solskjaer has shown why he deserves the job.

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Manchester United great Eric Cantona 'involved in bust-up with Neymar's dad'

Former Manchester United forward Eric Cantona was reportedly involved in an altercation with Neymar's dad after the Reds' Champions League win against Paris Saint-Germain.

It is claimed by French outlet RMC that Cantona and one of his friends made shushing gestures in the direction of Neymar's box a few minutes after the full-time whistle at the Parc des Princes.

Neymar's dad is said to have taken exception to the gesture, deeming it insulting to the Brazil forward as well as the Parisian club.

He is reported to have made his way out of Neymar's box and towards Cantona's box to confront the duo.

Cantona's friend is said to have directed an insult in the direction of Neymar Snr and security services were forced to intervene to diffuse the situation.

Neymar was not reported to be present during the altercation as he had already gone down to the dressing room to join his defeated teammates.

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Cantona was invited into United's dressing room afterwards where he posed for a picture alongside Sir Alex Ferguson and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United will find out their opponents in the quarter-finals of the Champions League next Friday.

Spurs, Porto and Ajax secured their spots in the last eight this week and they will be joined next week by either Manchester City or Schalke, Barcelona or Lyon, Bayern Munich or Liverpool and Juventus or Atletico Madrid.

United haven't progressed beyond the quarter-finals of the Champions League since 2011, when they were losing finalists against Barcelona at Wembley.

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What are the full 'Ole's at the Wheel' words?

MANCHESTER UNITED have been reborn under the stewardship of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

And fans have been so impressed with his management that he already has a new song ringing around Old Trafford at every home game.

PA:Press Association

Solskjaer's name has rung around Old Trafford at every home game since his appointment as caretaker

What are the words to the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer song?

Ole's at the wheel

Tell me how good does it feel

We've got Sanchez and Pogba and Fred

Marcus Rashford he's manc born and bred

Duh du, du du du du du

Duh du, du du du du du

The greatest of English football

We've won it all

What was the original version of the song?

Ole's at the Wheel comes from The Stone Roses' 1991 hit Waterfall.

The full lyrics to that song are as follows:

Chimes sing Sunday morn Today's the day she's sworn To steal what she never could own And race from this hole she calls home

Now you're at the wheel Tell me how, how does it feel? So good to have equalized To lift up the lids of your eyes

As the mile they disappear See land begin to clear Free from the filth and the scum This American satellites won

She'll carry on through it all She's a waterfall

She'll carry on through it all She's a waterfall

See the steeple pine The hills as old as time Soon to be put to the test To be whipped by the winds of the west

Stands on shifting sands The scales held in her hands The wind it just whips her away And fills up her brigantine sails

She'll carry on through it all She's a waterfall She'll carry on through it all

She's a waterfall

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Arsenal vs Manchester United: Pundits disagree on predictions ahead of Premier League clash

Manchester United are preparing to travel to the capital for Sunday’s crunch clash at Arsenal still buoyed by the remarkable comeback against Paris Saint-Germain.

The Red Devils managed to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit in the last-16 of the Champions League thanks to a 3-1 victory in Paris.

Just one day later and Arsenal suffered an embarrassing 3-1 defeat in France as they went down to Rennes in the Europa League.

These results will mean little come Sunday when both teams take the to the field in London hoping to strengthen their chances of finishing in the top four – but three prominent pundits cannot agree on the scoreline.

The good news, though, for Manchester United fans is none of the three pundits in Mark Lawrenson, Michael Owen and Paul Merson are predicting a defeat for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.

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  Mark Lawrenson has predicted a 1-1 draw in his BBC predictions column whilst waxing lyrical about Solskjaer but Arsenal legend Paul Merson has spoken a little bit more about the detail of the game itself.

“I can’t say it will decide fourth place with Chelsea there. It’s in Chelsea's hands really but I think whoever lost the game would be in trouble so it’s a massive game,” Merson told Sky Sports. “I think both teams will have a go at each other and there will be goals.”

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   Merson is also backing a draw but instead a 2-2 tie at the Emirates. However, Owen has got United down to win the game in London and both teams to score.

“Arsenal have won their last eight home league games but, sandwiched in-between, they did lose at home to United in the FA Cup back in January and I think Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side can win their seventh successive away league game,” Owen explained in his BetVictor blog.

“Only City (42) have picked up more home league points than Arsenal (38) but I felt United were good value for their Cup success and they can win an open and entertaining, but fiercely competitive clash at the Emirates.”

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The Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tactical masterclass which sealed Manchester United progression uncovered

After inspiring the miraculous comeback of 1999 in Barcelona's Camp Nou, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer again provided the goods on a remarkable night in Europe, albeit in a different manner.

United arrived in Paris having succumbed to a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of the tie at Old Trafford, with hope of progression into the latter stages all but lost.

The opposing team in question were PSG, the current league leaders in France by 17 points, having amassed just one loss in 26 matches.

After 99 minutes played at the Parc des Princes, though, the Manchester club ran out 3-1 winners to astonishingly progress into the quarter-finals of the competition.

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  Solskjaer somehow managed this incredible feat without ten senior players, starting the likes of Fred, Andreas Pereira and Eric Bailly, all of whom have barely featured since the Norwegian took the reins.

In addition, the bench consisted of names such as Mason Greenwood, Angel Gomes, James Garner and Tahith Chong - prospects that deserve a chance, but ideally not on a highly publicised European night away from home.

Despite his restricted options though, Solskjaer still managed to secure a result, but how did he do it?

Firstly, it's important to note that United initially started in a 4-4-2 system, with Ashley Young on the right wing, Pereira on the left, and Bailly as a makeshift right back. The primary means of attacking was through Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku, who played as a strike pairing and were given little defensive responsibility so that they could be immediately countered through once regaining the ball.

Solskjaer's plan was somewhat defensive, but crucially and unlike the previous manager, the 46-year-old was willing to incorporate an element of risk in an attacking sense, rather than playing with outright fear.

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  This was demonstrated inside two minutes, as although United were provided with a gift by the home side, the PSG error was enforced by Rashford's aggressive pressing, shown below.

Marcus Rashford's pressing forces PSG into a defensive error (Image: Wyscout)

PSG's response was strong though, as an onslaught of attacks then came as a result of United gaining a lead. The eventual equaliser came just 10 minutes later, with the French side exploiting the back four employed by United, shown below.

PSG play through United's back four to equalise (Image: Wyscout)

This theme began to reoccur, as the 3-4-2-1 system that Thomas Tuchel had adopted allowed his wing backs to play high and wide, which stretched United defensively as their back four simply couldn't cover the ground required horizontally.

Consequently, whenever the likes of Luke Shaw or Bailly opted to close down one of PSG's wide players, a channel would open up or they would simply be overlapped, shown below.

United's bank of four struggles to cover the width of the pitch (Image: Wyscout)

Tuchel’s team persistently penetrated using the wide areas, with a particular emphasis placed on attacking Bailly, who was assuming an unnatural role.

The Ivorian defender lasted just 36 minutes before being substituted for a more natural right-sided player in Diogo Dalot. The change was a productive one.

United took the lead once more after the rebound from a Rashford shot fell to the feet of Lukaku to finish, but eventually, Solskjaer crucially switched to a formation that adequately matched PSG’s, shown below.

United's switch to a back five allows wider defensive coverage (Image: Wyscout)

The back five that United switched to allowed greater wide coverage and prevented channels from opening, and although PSG continued to dominate proceedings, the visitors appeared more defensively secure in comparison to the first half.

Then, once the match progressed into the final 10 minutes, Solskjaer went for the steal by introducing his fearless, quick youngsters from the bench in Chong and Greenwood.

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  It’s likely that these two players were introduced to recover the counter-attacking threat that had gradually been lost, as they came on for Young and Pereira, who had both covered a fair amount of ground.

The controversial VAR decision will occupy most of the headlines, but Solskjaer’s ability to be constructive tactically with his limited options provided the platform for United to complete the stunning comeback.

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What Sir Alex Ferguson told Gareth Southgate after Manchester United beat PSG

Gareth Southgate has revealed how Manchester United great Sir Alex Ferguson was feeling following the Red Devils’ Champions League success over Paris Saint-Germain.

Marcus Rashford’s injury-time penalty goal gave United a 3-1 victory in France which allowed them to qualify for the last eight of the competition on away goals.

Ferguson was watching on alongside fellow United legend Eric Cantona and was pictured celebrating post-match with caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Southgate, who was also present in France, says that he briefly spoke with United’s all-time best manager and opened up on the four words that he came out with which hit home in particular.

“I talked with Sir Alex after the game. He said, ‘that’s the United DNA’,” Southgate explained on TalkSPORT.

Manchester United beat PSG: Reaction

  Ferguson was clearly delighted with the result and Southgate says that Solskjaer deserves a great deal of credit for the way he has impressed since taking over in December.

“Ole has got that connection with the fans. He knows the way United are. The players are playing with a smile on their face. He has done a great job,” Southgate added.

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  “He has been tactically good as well. The young players are stepping up. That was the case with a couple of them on Wednesday.

“You need time. But you also need to know what a club stands for. You might want to change the style, but clubs have identities. The strongest clubs keep that identity and build a team around that.”

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Man Utd news: Cesc Fabregas hits back at ex-Arsenal star for criticising Solskjaer's tactics vs PSG

Cesc Fabregas supported Manchester United’s approach against PSG (Getty Images)

Cesc Fabregas has defended Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after former Arsenal forward Julio Baptista criticised Manchester United’s tactics in their Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain.

United completed a remarkable turnaround in Paris by sealing a 3-1 victory to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

Solskjaer’s side were forced to defend for the majority of the game but Romelu Lukaku capitalised on two defensive errors to keep United in the tie before Marcus Rashford’s penalty in extra time completed the upset.

Baptista, however, was unhappy with United’s approach to the game and claims Solskjaer’s side will not win the competition if they adopt similar tactics in the next round

‘Manchester United have got to the next round without merit, they just played and defended the whole game, counting on luck to beat PSG,’ the Brazilian posted on Twitter.

‘As good as they are, Manchester United cannot afford play like that if they want to win the Champions League.’

Manchester United are through to the Champions League quarter-finals (Getty Images)

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But Fabregas hit back at his former Arsenal teammate by defending Solskjaer’s approach and pointing out that United were hampered by several injuries, as well as Paul Pogba’s suspension.

‘Each team plays to their strengths and United had at least eight of their top players out,’ Fabregas said.

Marcus Rashford’s penalty sent PSG crashing out of the Champions League (EPA)

‘They had to bring on their academy players in the last 20 minutes because they did not have anything else.

‘Have they been lucky? Yes. But they deserve respect for fighting and believing until the end.

‘I am a defender of good football but you always have to adapt to what you have.’

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Man Utd news: Paul Pogba and Patrice Evra celebrate Champions League win in PSG stands

Paul Pogba was banned for the Champions League clash (Picture: Getty)

Paul Pogba celebrated Manchester United’s stunning Champions League victory over PSG in the stands with club legend Patrice Evra.

The Red Devils trailed 2-0 going into this evening’s return leg in Paris but secured a 3-1 win to progress on away goals.

Romelu Lukaku’s first-half brace and Marcus Rashford’s injury-time penalty sent the Premier League giants through.

The famous win saw United become the first team in Champions League history to progress after losing the first leg at home by two or more goals.

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Pogba was banned for the match after being sent off at Old Trafford and celebrated the incredible victory with former United defender Evra in the PSG stands.

After Manchester United booked their place in the last-eight of the Champions League, Michael Owen said: ‘When this draw was made I gave United no chance whatsoever.

‘They were playing awful football under Jose Mourinho, they had no chance.

‘What a difference, the whole spirit has changed – it’s quite frightening how they’ve gone through tonight.

‘With a neutral head I don’t think it’s a penalty in a million years. It’s not a penalty for me or anybody in this room.’

On Rashford’s penalty, the former England striker added: ‘There’s no fun in that as a penalty talker – it’s just relief.

‘When that hits the net, it’s a case of thank everything! In that position you just go numb. Others may feel differently but you just do it to be a leader.’

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6 Big Name Players Who Could Leave Real Madrid This Summer & Where They Could Go

​Real Madrid have reached a crossroad. The three-time back-to-back reigning European champions are at the end of their 'dynasty', with Tuesday night's Champions League humiliation at the hands of Ajax a stark indicator that this team has run its course.

Zinedine Zidane opted to walk away in the summer, leaving on a high rather than risk a drop off, while Cristiano Ronaldo made his way to Italy for a new challenge with Juventus.

What was left behind is seemingly now a spent force

As the need for a squad overhaul becomes apparent and a new generation begins, these are six big name players who could leave Real Madrid this summer...

Keylor Navas

Age: 32

Contract Until: 2020

Through no fault of his own, Keylor Navas has been dumped as number one goalkeeper in favour of Thibaut Courtois. The fact that the giant Belgian has hardly set the world alight since arriving at the Bernabeu has only made it harder for his predecessor to swallow.

The Real hierarchy had wanted a marquee goalkeeper for years, having moved Iker Casillas on in 2015, suggesting there is little chance of Navas regaining his place.

Yet this remains a player of proven quality at the highest level and he is deserving of a starting place and a fresh start at a new club.

Paris Saint-Germain may be in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer if Gianluigi Buffon finally retires, while Juventus could also consider a move. Even Atletico Madrid might be interested should another European giant move for Jan Oblak.

Isco

Age: 26

Contract Until: 2022

Of every big name who has struggled at Real this season, Isco appears the most likely to be playing his football somewhere else in 2019/20 after falling so far out of favour.

This was a player who was famously preferred to Gareth Bale to start the 2017 Champions League final, and seemed destined for a long and successful career at the Bernabeu.

Bizarrely, Isco is still yet to start a single La Liga game under coach Santiago Solari, who was appointed at the start of November. He was also ignored for the recent Copa del Rey clashes with Barcelona and left out of the squad to face Ajax this week.

Isco's situation is different to the rest. He is a number of years younger and a change of scenery could be the catalyst to resurrecting a career that was still vibrant less than 12 months ago.

Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham have all been linked.

Marcelo

Age: 30

Contract Until: 2022

Having been with Real since moving from his native Brazil as a teenager in 2007, Marcelo has been heavily tipped to follow former colleague Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus.

The four-time Champions league winner was reported to be considering the move last summer, but Ronaldo's move to Turin seemingly exhausted Juve's resources for the year.

Now, however, as the Italian giants continue to try and build a team capable of finally winning the Champions League for the first time since 1996, that interest could start up again.

Marcelo's options elsewhere seem somewhat limited, although PSG's signings of both Gianluigi Buffon and Dani Alves in recent summers shows they are happy to sign proven veterans.

Luka Modric

Age: 33

Contract Until: 2020

Luka Modric had an incredible year in 2018, winning a fourth Champions League title, reaching the World Cup final and finally breaking the longstanding Lionel Messi/Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly of the top individuals awards by claiming Best FIFA Men's Player and the Ballon d'Or.

Perhaps he now also wishes that a proposed summer transfer to Inter had gone through.

The Croatian icon was given the run-around this week by Frenkie de Jong, a player whose future is already tied to Barcelona after a €75m move was pre-arranged in January.

There had been rumours of Modric extending his contract at Real and eventually retiring at the Bernabeu, but does he have the time to wait until the club emerges at the other end of what now looks like a dreaded 'transition period'?

Equally, will Real feel the time is right and oblige if Inter come back?

Gareth Bale

Age: 29

Contract Until: 2022

Gareth Bale's agent has been very vocal this week about the Welsh winger staying at Real, insisting, "Despite what the Spanish press are reporting, he's happy, he speaks reasonable Spanish and there is no problem between him and the rest of the Real players.

"The people writing these things know nothing about him. There has not been one single discussion about Gareth leaving Madrid."

But it remains incredibly difficult to believe that everything is rosy for Bale at the Bernabeu.

Stories from both Marcelo and Thibaut Courtois have painted him as a something of an outcast, while his injury record continues to be a source of major frustration and he has even been booed by his own fans.

Bale, who will turn 30 years of age this summer, has also failed to fill Cristiano Ronaldo's shoes and has been left out of the team by successive managers, even when fit, far more than a player of his reputation and quality ever should be.

A return to the Premier League is probably a no-go, but an ambitious Inter looks to be the perfect destination for the next chapter. The club is backed by wealthy owners, is desperate to challenge Juventus for Serie A supremacy and could need a new talisman if Mauro Icardi goes.

Sergio Ramos

Age: 32

Contract Until: 2020

It is shocking to even think it, but has Sergio Ramos run his course as a Real Madrid player?

The defender first arrived in the Spanish capital as a teenager in 2005 and has played over 600 games for the club, winning every major honour during that time. But he will turn 33 years of age this month and was absent through his own arrogance and/or stupidity for the crucial Ajax game.

With his contract up for renewal at the end of next season, Real will have to make a decision as to whether he will be a part of the immediate future.

Getting rid of a player of his standing may seem harsh and callous, but Real aren't known for tiptoeing around declining stars, as Iker Casillas found out the hard way.

While PSG would probably happily welcome most Real player, defence is probably an area where they don't need strengthening after assembling a group of talented centre-backs.

Manchester United, who were heavily linked with Ramos the last time his contract was nearing its expiration, are in the market for a defensive leader and could become interested again.

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Why Manchester United fans dislike Angel di Maria - Samuel Luckhurst

There were about 20 metres between the KC Stadium's exit and Manchester United's luxury Eavesway coach. The 2014-15 season was over and so were some United careers.

Robin van Persie, an unused substitute who was told he would be sold earlier that week, was first on and looked resigned as he tucked into the buffet. Victor Valdes, fresh from an impressive full debut, was chaperoned to the vehicle in an attempt to avoid questions about David de Gea's future. Adnan Januzaj looked pleased to see the back of 2014-15 and his compatriot, Marouane Fellaini, sheepishly skulked past the three waiting journalists following his vicious tackle on Paul McShane.

And then there was Angel di Maria. Withdrawn in the 23rd minute with a hamstring injury, he strode casually, rather than gingerly, and even gave the thumbs up. "I believe he felt something in his hamstring and didn’t want to risk it," Louis van Gaal told MUTV after the game. Van Gaal was supposed to be the risk-aversive one.

That picture of Van Gaal eyeing Di Maria as he limped off at Hull is the defining image of the pair's relationship. Van Gaal has scepticism etched across his face, whilst Di Maria avoids eye contact as he speaks with the goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek.

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  Di Maria's trademark celebration was to make a heart-shape but he lacked heart at United. The animosity shown towards him by United supporters three weeks ago was still striking. A matchgoing friend sat a few rows back from where Di Maria tumbled into the touchline ditch described his descent as 'a real treat'.

Returning players are seldom abused and heckled at Old Trafford but the three exceptions in the last decade are Di Maria, Gabriel Heinze and Carlos Tevez. "I confess I found working with Argentinian footballers quite difficult," Sir Alex Ferguson once wrote.

Tevez joined City and Heinze wanted to join Liverpool. Di Maria? If he had it his way, he would have joined Paris Saint-Germain a year earlier but Financial Fair Play restrictions prevented it, so United had a free run at the Argentinian. In his signing statement, Di Maria said United were 'the only club that I would have left Real Madrid for'. He would not have passed the lie detector test.

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  United fans looked past that, for Di Maria was a British-record arrival and indisputably world-class at the time of his £59.7million move. He made their hearts flutter with an enterprising home debut against Queens Park Rangers, that dink over Kasper Schmeichel and a tidily-placed opener against Everton. Di Maria's first half of the campaign was respectful, albeit interrupted by a period where he appeared once in December. Di Maria had his own winter break.

Supporters sympathised with the attempted burglary at Di Maria's Cheshire home in late January. What burns just as vividly in the memory as Di Maria ridiculing Schmeichel is his ridiculous 45 minutes on the right wing against Sunderland in late February. Di Maria was hooked at half-time and lasted just 14 minutes longer at Newcastle four days later.

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  Di Maria then effectively ended United's sole chance of silver by collecting two yellow cards in almost as many seconds for simulation and tugging referee Michael Oliver's shirt against Arsenal in their FA Cup quarter-final. Di Maria was inexplicably applauded by the Stretford End as he approached the tunnel and sought forgiveness. They did not forgive. Or forget.

That March 9 fixture marked Di Maria's final home start for United, for he was unable to oust Ashley Young amid a flurry of calamitous cameos. United's most accomplished performance at Anfield in the last 20 years was jeopardised by the walking disaster Di Maria, who was angrily rebuked by Van Gaal in the dressing room at full-time.

Di Maria avoids eye contact with Van Gaal at Hull

There was plenty of mitigation; Van Gaal routinely played Di Maria out of position and abhorred dribbling, but a genuinely elite footballer would have resolved to improve the situation. Di Maria did not. He competed at the summer's Copa America in Chile and United, on tour in the United States, had reserved a seat for him on a flight bound for San Jose in July. But it was vacant.

"For Di María, I don’t know why," Van Gaal shrugged when asked about his absence. Ten days later, PSG paraded Di Maria.

When a professional footballer abandons their professionalism, there is no going back unless they perform. Di Maria, phenomenal at Madrid, was feckless at United and took the easy way out; the Ligue 1 monopoly.

It was over.

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TV channel, live stream, team news, kick-off time for Champions League showdown

MAN UNITED have a mammoth task ahead of them if they're to to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals.

Previously, the French side handed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his first defeat, showing how far United's young squad have to go to be real contenders on the big stage.

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The Reds will be aggrieved that goalscorer Kimpembe wasn't sent off, and rightly so. But Paul Pogba was, which could be a huge psychological blow to the rest of the players.

Nothing less than a two-goal win will be enough to give the Red Devils a chance of going through in Paris.

What time is kick-off?

This game takes place on Wednesday, March 6th.

Kick-off is at 8pm.

It will be held at the Parc des Princes.

Which TV channel is it on and can I live stream it?

This Premier League clash will be shown on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport 4kUHD.

We will also be running our usual LIVE BLOG so you can follow all the action right here.

What is the team news?

Paul Pogba will play no part in this match after his dismissal in the first leg, while Alexis Sanchez is out for the season.

Ander Herrera, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic, Anthony Martial, Juan Mata, Phil Jones and Antonio Valencia are also all out as United face Mission Impossible.

That means Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku could start in a rare two-man attack.

Neymar remains out with a metatarsal injury, but PSG coped perfectly well without him at Old Trafford.

And there other big threat, Edinson Cavani, could be in line for a recall after missing the first leg through injury.

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