Manchester United somehow progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals with Marcus Rashford’s controversial late penalty seeing them overcome Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes.
The visitors got off to the perfect start – as did the tie from a neutral perspective – when Romelu Lukaku pounced on a poor Thilo Kehrer back pass to sweep United ahead.
That sparked the hosts into life and Kylian Mbappe dragged them back into it when he set up Juan Bernat to tap in. However, United retook the lead before the break when Lukaku scored his second – profiting from another mistake when he gleefully tapped in after Gianluigi Buffon spilled Rashford’s speculative effort.
Both teams had chances in the second period but lacked the necessary quality, with the French side looking like they would hang on until late VAR drama with United awarded a stoppage time penalty for a Presnel Kimpembe handball. Rashford rifled it in and United went through on away goals.
Here’s how the United players rated:
MANCHESTER UNITED (5-3-2)
David De Gea – 6: Little to do in truth. Beat away Bernat’s bullet. Nervy punch put side under pressure late on.
Ashley Young – 6: Looked leggy in the last week and was all at sea in a puzzling right-sided role. Much-improved after break, several key interceptions.
Eric Bailly – 4: Endured a nightmare for PSG’s equaliser, initially playing Mbappe onside before failing to track Bernat. Hauled off before the interval.
Victor Lindelof – 6: Focus was key alongside central partner Smalling. Calmness personified. Needs a long-term quality partner.
Chris Smalling – 7: Grew into the game and was kept similarly busy, seven clearances led side. Another solid showing.
Luke Shaw – 7: A nice turn to fool Mbappe and linked well with Rashford. Defended stoutly but passing was a little wayward.
Fred – 7: A quietly effective performance. Ruffled Marco Verratti’s feathers and ran himself into the ground.
Andreas Pereira – 5: Few misplaced passes. Otherwise didn’t do much wrong, but had little impact either.
Scott McTominay – 8: A busy, bustling performance from the athletic Scot. Never overawed. Led team in tackles (five).
Romelu Lukaku – 8: Alert to Kehrer’s early error, pouncing to round Buffon and finish assuredly. Gobbled up second chance. Six goals in three games.
Since joining Man Utd, Romelu Lukaku has scored 7 Champions League goals, 3 more than any other Man Utd player.
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 6, 2019
Relishing the big occasion. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/TdTmxUbKsP
Marcus Rashford – 5: Wasteful and kept in check, but hopeful shot led to second goal for Lukaku. Not his best night but ended up being the matchwinner.
SUBS:
Diogo Dalot – 6: An instant upgrade on Bailly. Neat skill set up an attacking chance. Growing with every outing.
Tahith Chong N/A: Exciting Dutchman thrown on as United pressed. Fine tackle on Verratti.
Mason Greenwood N/A: Teenager replaced Young in a bold move from Solskjaer.
