Lukaku, Smalling 8/10 as United complete historic comeback

1:02 pm | March 6, 2019 | Go to Source | Author:

5:34 PM ET

PARIS — Manchester United are through to the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the first time since 2014 after a remarkable night in Paris.

A stoppage-time penalty from Marcus Rashford, awarded by VAR, sealed a 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s injury-hit side made history at Parc des Princes.

In 34 attempts, no club had ever gone through after losing the first leg at home by two or more goals. That was until a double from Romelu Lukaku, the first coming inside the opening two minutes, and Rashford’s ice-cool penalty ensured United, who were without 10 first-team players due to injury and suspension, will be in the draw for the next round.

Positives

Considering the result in the first leg and the number of players either injured or suspended, it was a truly remarkable performance. United inflicted only PSG’s second defeat in the last 16 Champions League games at home. To win the game would have been impressive enough, but to do it by a big enough margin to win the tie was almost unbelievable.

Negatives

Eric Bailly had a night to forget but in the end it didn’t really matter. United wobbled for 15 minutes after conceding the equaliser but otherwise United were mature, confident and clinical.

Manager rating out of 10

7 — He will probably accept he got his team selection wrong by picking Eric Bailly at right-back. The Ivorian looked lost for the 36 minutes he was on the pitch and, whether it was because of injury or tactical, his substitution was a blessing. After that, the Norwegian got his tactics spot on to make sure United were still in the game with a chance to advance in the final 10 minutes.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK David De Gea, 7 — Made two saves at his near post and did well to smother a chance that fell to Kylian Mbappe late on.

DF Eric Bailly, 3 — Asked to play at right-back, he was caught out at the back post when Juan Bernat ghosted in to score the equaliser. Hooked after taking a heavy tackle from Marco Verratti but the change could have been tactical.

DF Luke Shaw, 8 — Whether it was at left-back or left wing-back, he kept Julian Draxler quiet as most of United’s defensive problems came down the other side.

DF Victor Lindelof, 7 — Mbappe had an off night and although PSG had more than 70 percent possession, Lindelof was at the centre of a defence that did not concede that many clear-cut chances.

DF Chris Smalling, 8 — Made an Important block from Mbappe early on. He defended well all night and kept the Frenchman in check. Fantastic performance.

MF Ashley Young, 7 — Started in midfield but moved to right-back after Bailly went off. Made a fantastic clearance under his own crossbar to deny Angel Di Maria a tap in.

MF Scott McTominay, 8 — Wouldn’t have played had the first-choice midfielders been fit but it was to his credit that he didn’t look out of place on such a big stage.

MF Fred, 8 — The Brazilian hasn’t had an easy start to his career at Old Trafford but this was one of his best games since arriving in the summer.

MF Andreas Pereira, 7 — Started on the left of midfield in Solskjaer’s 4-4-2 but ended up on the right when the formation was tweaked. Held his positions and worked hard.

FW Marcus Rashford, 8 — Created Lukaku’s second goal with a fierce strike at Gianluigi Buffon and had the guts and composure to smash in the penalty in stoppage time.

FW Romelu Lukaku, 8 — Showed composure and strength to score inside the first two minutes and reacted first to score his second after Buffon’s error.

Substitutes

MF Diogo Dalot, 7 — Had the shot that won the late penalty.

FW Tahith Chong , N/R — Pressed relentlessly.

FW Mason Greenwood, N/R — Came on to make his debut.