Neymar injury: How Paris Saint-Germain could line up in Champions League first leg against Manchester United WITHOUT Brazil superstar

Neymar injury: How Paris Saint-Germain could line up in Champions League first leg against Manchester United WITHOUT Brazil superstar
Manchester United vs Paris Saint-Germain is shaping up to be the pick of the last-16 ties in this season’s Champions League.The Red Devils have been in resurgent form since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took charge, winning their last eight games.

Solskjaer has won all eight of his games since taking charge of United

Full Champions League last 16 draw

And for quite some time PSG have been one of Europe’s top clubs but they are desperate to take their game to the next level and win the competition.However, it looks like they’ll have to resume their quest without world-record signing Neymar, who sustained a foot injury in a Coupe de France clash last week and is unlikely to be available, according to PSG boss Thomas Tuchel.So how might the French giants line up without one of their star players? talkSPORT.com takes a look at a potential PSG XI for the first leg.

Neymar left the pitch in tears after sustaining the injury against Strasbourg

Goalkeeper

It’s hard to predict who will get the nod between the sticks as this season has seen Gianluigi Buffon and Alphonse Areola share the duty, making 15 and 17 appearances respectively so far, with both playing three times in the Champions League.However, with what should be a raucous Old Trafford atmosphere an experienced head might be the better bet for Tuchel and Buffon comes out on top in this case.

Tuchel may choose Buffon for the high stakes game

The Italian has had a glittering career but does not have a Champions League winners medal to his name so may just be that little bit more focused on having a good game but Areola is more than up to the job.

Defence

Neymar’s likely absence and Manchester United’s new high-pressing style of football could see the Ligue 1 giants reshuffle things at the back.They will have learned a lot from their 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season where their defence was swamped on occasions.

Alves has a wealth of Champions League experience, winning the competition three times

So a back three of Thilo Kehrer, Thiago Silva and Presnel Kimpembe, supported by Dani Alves and Juan Bernat as wing-backs, may be the best course of action.Alves and Bernat could also offer more going forward to slightly make up for Neymar not being available. Thomas Meunier is also an option but has not started the Parisiens’ last three matches so may not make the cut.

Midfield

PSG are also waiting on the fitness of midfield maestro Marco Verratti, who is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.And they will be desperate for him to be available as they really missed the Italian when they lost to Liverpool but he ran the show in the return fixture at the Parc-des-Princes, which PSG won 2-1.

Liverpool couldn’t deal with Verratti in November and PSG will be hoping he can have a similar effect against United

Canal+ reports that Verratti is confident he will be available for the United game so he could feature in a defensive midfield alongside Marquinhos, to stifle the likes of Paul Pogba, who has been in excellent form since Solskjaer was appointed interim boss.Meanwhile, regular starter and former United player Angel di Maria could play in a more advanced role to support the weakened but still excellent PSG front line. Di Maria will also have a point to prove on his return to Old Trafford.

Attack

It’s usually a trio up front for PSG but it seems like they’ll have to make do with Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe.But that shouldn’t be too much of an issue as both Cavani and Mbappe, who have 20 and 22 goals respectively this season.

Cavani and Neymar will be looking wreak havoc against a shaky United defence

They are more than capable of doing damage on the United defence where there are still question marks around despite the Premier League side’s recent surge in form.

Starting XI

PSG’s potential starting team at Old Trafford

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