PSG 1-2 Manchester United: Marcus Rashford hits late winner in Paris AGAIN as Red Devils deservedly beat last season's Champions League runners-up after Anthony Martial's own goal cancelled out Bruno Fernandes' penalty

  • It was Deja vu for Paris Saint-Germain as Manchester United pulled off another famous win in French capital
  • Marcus Rashford hit the winner last time and was the difference here again as United deservedly beat PSG 
  • Bruno Fernandes had coolly slotted from 12 yards to give United a first-half lead through his re-taken penalty
  • A poor piece of defending at near post saw Anthony Martial head a corner into his own net to draw PSG level 
  • But with just a few minutes left on the clock, Rashford sprung into life and fired a winner low into the corner 

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Whatever the future may hold for Marcus Rashford, he will always have Paris.

How he must love this ground, these opponents. It is his second visit and the second time he has broken Parisian hearts. This being a Champions League group game, with all the attendant safety nets, it was not as devastating for the locals as the last time – when his first penalty for Manchester United removed PSG from the competition. Yet, in many ways, second time around was every bit as special, because it was so wholly deserved.

Manchester United were much the better side in the Parc des Princes on Tuesday night. Hungrier, more ambitious and diligent. Their forwards were more threatening, their defenders more resolute. And in Rashford they have a match-winner of the highest order, demanding the ball with audible urgency because he knew precisely what he was going to do with it.

Marcus Rashford was the match winner for Manchester United in Paris again as his late goal sealed a deserved victory

Marcus Rashford was the match winner for Manchester United in Paris again as his late goal sealed a deserved victory

The England star burst past his man before thumping the ball with precision right into the corner past Keylor Navas

The England star burst past his man before thumping the ball with precision right into the corner past Keylor Navas

It capped off a marvellous performance from United, who became first side to win a group game at PSG in 24 matches

It capped off a marvellous performance from United, who became first side to win a group game at PSG in 24 matches

MATCH FACTS

PSG (4-3-3): Navas, Florenzi (Dagba 79), Diallo, Kimpembe, Kurzawa (Bakker 86), Ander Herrera (Rafinha 79), Danilo Pereira, Gueye (Kean 45), Di Maria (Sarabia 86), Mbappe-Lottin, Neymar;

Subs not used: Marquinhos, Sergio Rico, Draxler, Letellier, Pembele, Fadiga, Ruiz-Atil

Scorers: Martial OG (55)

Booked: Neymar, Danilo Pereira 

Man Utd (3-4-2-1): De Gea, Wan Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Lindelof, Shaw, Telles (Pogba 67), Fred, McTominay, Fernandes (Van de Beek 88), Rashford, Martial (James 88);

Subs not used: Mata, Fosu-Mensah, Ighalo, Henderson, Pellistri, Matic, Williams

Scorers: Fernandes (24), Rashford (87)

Booked: McTominay, Tuanzebe

Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz  

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There were three minutes left when Paul Pogba, on as a second-half substitute, held play up on the edge of the area, shielding the ball and spying Rashford in a dangerous corridor. 


The striker made his call and, ball at his feet, simply burst into life, streaking through and finishing with a shot across the body of Keylor Navas. 

No Champions League group game has been lost here for 24 matches, yet last season's finalists looked insipid and slow. Lazy, too. Neymar was actually walking away from the play as Rashford scored United's winner.

Equal billing as stars of the show, mind – Manchester United's patched-up defence. Some had feared for them here with key players missing but, not for the first time in a match of significance, Ole Gunnar Solkjaer got his gameplan right.

This was the fixture that probably got Solskjaer the job on a permanent basis two years back, the 3-1 victory here making the clamour for his appointment irresistible. And on nights like this, when he gets his judgement calls so right, it still doesn't look like Ed Woodward's worst days' work.

So three at the back came off, as did Solskjaer's choice of personnel for the task. 

Alex Telles on his debut at wing back was full of confidence, at one stage completing more stepovers in a single move than Cristiano Ronaldo attempted in his first two seasons. 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka was equally impressive on the other flank, while Luke Shaw stood tall in a central role. 

Special mention, though, to 22-year-old Axel Tuanzebe. One challenge up against Kylian Mbappe, a fine athlete, saw the striker bounce off him, provoking protests from Neymar that put him in referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz's book. It was the one time PSG's front pair seemed to be on the same wavelength all game. 

Far from stretching the play, Neymar and Mbappe were happy to operate in each other's pockets, culminating in an incident just before half-time when an Mbappe shot stuck Neymar on the back as he darted in front, and went out for a goal-kick. What was he doing taking that line? It made no sense.

Really, PSG shouldn't have been in the match at all. They were level through an incredible moment of good fortune. How to put this? Tony Martial scored again last night, but nobody will be singing songs about this one.

The game had got off to the perfect start for visitors when Bruno Fernandes reliably strokes into the corner from penalty spot

The game had got off to the perfect start for visitors when Bruno Fernandes reliably strokes into the corner from penalty spot

Fernandes showed some nerve to score his penalty, having seen his first saved before it was ordered to be re-taken

Fernandes showed some nerve to score his penalty, having seen his first saved before it was ordered to be re-taken

PSG were furious but highlights showed they could not have any complaints with Navas well off his line before saving

PSG were furious but highlights showed they could not have any complaints with Navas well off his line before saving

A header from a corner, straight into his own net, was what got PSG back into the game and for a while seemed sure to deny Manchester United a deserved victory. Some actions defy explanation and this was one. Martial was under little pressure. Quite why he chose to steer his header back towards his goal is a mystery. David De Gea had no chance. Indeed, it took a team-mate to beat him. No opponent came close. Everything PSG threw at him, he took.

Until Martial's intervention, the closest they had come was in the passage of play before the goal. It culminated in a slightly miscued cross from full back Layvin Kurzawa that ended up hitting the bar. The ball eventually went off for a corner and it was that dead ball, struck by Neymar, that Martial sent powerfully past the luckless De Gea.

He had been outstanding all night. PSG, for all the marquee names in their forward line, did not offer much – but when they did De Gea was in top form. Mbappe created very little – although more than the ordinary Neymar – but one shot in the 47th minute, cutting past two defenders, forced the save of the night.

De Gea has his critics but on occasions like this, wet and greasy in Paris with the rain teeming down, he can still look an assuredly safe pair of hands. 

When Angel Di Maria cut inside on to his favoured left foot after 12 minutes, De Gea was equal to it, tipping the ball around. Then from the corner, when Mbappe whipped in a cross for Kurzawa in the six-yard box, De Gea reacted well and bravely to repel again. It took another 32 minutes for PSG to test him, roles reversed this time, Kurzawa to Mbappe, but De Gea cleared ably under pressure. 

PSG were sluggish in the first half but David De Gea still had to make a brilliant save to deny Layvin Kurzawa from point blank

PSG were sluggish in the first half but David De Gea still had to make a brilliant save to deny Layvin Kurzawa from point blank

Axel Tuanzebe was one of United's standout performers, keeping the usually brilliant Kylian Mbappe mostly quiet all night

Axel Tuanzebe was one of United's standout performers, keeping the usually brilliant Kylian Mbappe mostly quiet all night

PSG came out much better after the break and were soon back on level terms when Anthony Martial headed into his own net

PSG came out much better after the break and were soon back on level terms when Anthony Martial headed into his own net

The hosts celebrated after a good bit of fortune had given them a way back into a game they had been deservedly losing

The hosts celebrated after a good bit of fortune had given them a way back into a game they had been deservedly losing

Without a doubt the 6-1 reversal against Tottenham had a profound effect on Solskjaer. Out went Pogba, and any other player unprepared to pull his weight, in came the workers, like Scott McTominay, players that could be relied upon to track their man, to run the hard yards. 

Pogba was influential when he came on for Telles after 67 minutes, but it was McTominay's dogged needling of Neymar that wrested control of the midfield. Last season's Champions League finalists were simply disinclined to win those battles. They were ponderous and lacking in spark. They looked soft.

From the eighth minute, Manchester United exposed PSG's defensive uncertainty. A cross by Bruno Fernandes saw Abdou Diallo make a hash of the clearance, almost letting in Rashford. Soon after, Martial demonstrated great control to jink into the box, but his shot was wild and poor.

The next move, however, saw PSG crack. Shaw played a pass into Martial who was felled clumsily by Diallo as he turned. Fernandes missed his last penalty for United at Newcastle, but his record before that will not be forgotten quickly and up he stepped again. 

He did his little hop, skip and jump this time, struck it low to the right, but Navas was there to parry. These are changed times, though, meaning a VAR official in a windowless room had a look and declared Navas had moved off his line. He was right, Navas did. And as tough as it is on goalkeepers these days, those are the rules. 

So Fernandes retook, and held his nerve. Same approach, same place. Nevas blinked. He went the wrong way. Much the same can be said of PSG since the Champions League final.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka made a superb last-ditch tackle to thwart Mbappe from scoring in the second half of Tuesday's game

Aaron Wan-Bissaka made a superb last-ditch tackle to thwart Mbappe from scoring in the second half of Tuesday's game

United had looked menacing going forward all night and Rashford picked out a corner with aplomb late on to restore the lead

United had looked menacing going forward all night and Rashford picked out a corner with aplomb late on to restore the lead

Neymar had barely had a sighter all match and tried his luck late on from range but couldn't trouble an inspired De Gea in goal

Neymar had barely had a sighter all match and tried his luck late on from range but couldn't trouble an inspired De Gea in goal

 

RELIVE ALL THE ACTION FROM THE PARC DES PRINCES HERE WITH SPORTSMAIL

  • Jordan Seward

    Host commentator

21:57
That's all, folks

What an evening for United.

They were superb here and Solskjaer got his tactics spot on. A thoroughly entertaining game.

Thanks for joining, but until next time, it's goodbye from me. 

Enjoy the rest of your evenings.

21:54
And here's how they won it...

A superb goal from Rashford, who was the hero in Paris last time.

21:53
PEEEEEEEEEEP!

That's it, they've done it. Another big win for Solskjaer and United in Paris. And it's no more than they deserve. What a wonderful start to their Champions League campaign.

21:50
Three added minutes for United to negotiate
21:49
CHANCE

89' PSG cut the ball back to Bakker, who lets it run to Neymar. The Brazilian sets himself and bends a powerful effort that just goes over the bar.

21:48

88' Dan James and Van de Beek are on for Fernandes and Martial 

21:46
PSG 1-2 Manchester United (Rashford)

87' They've done it and it was coming. Pogba picks up the ball outside the box, passes it across to Rashford who knocks it out of his feet and fires low into the corner off the post. Rashford strikes again in Paris. What a vital goal that is with less than three minutes to play.

21:45

85' Last throw of the dice from Tuchel. Pablo Sarabia comes on for Di Maria and Mitchel Bakker is on for Kurzawa.

21:44

81' Neymar takes up a nice position in a pocket of space. As the ball comes towards him, he spins and fires a shot at goal. It's hit with power but is straight at De Gea, who deals with it comfortably.

21:41

79' Herrera and Florenzi head off and Rafinha and Colin Dagba are on in their place.

21:40
CHANCE

79' United attack down the right at pace. Rashford slots it to Fernandes who tries to cross it for Martial to tap in at the back post but Diallo cuts it out brilliantly. Rashford pounces on the loose ball and fires a shot at goal but Navas saves with his feet. The game is here for the taking for United.

21:38
CHANCE

77' Fred dispossess Neymar in midfield and plays it out to Rashford. The United forward drifts infield, drops his shoulder to create a bit of space and tees up Fernandes, who is waiting on the edge of the box. The midfielder takes it first time but whips his effort wide of the PSG goal.

21:34

75' Break in play at the moment as Luke Shaw is down with a problem. Solskjaer will hope it's nothing serious having already taken off Telles. He looks OK to continue though.

21:32

72' Tuanzebe goes into the book for a foul on Mbappe. First little blemish on the young defender's night. He's been solid at the back for United.

21:29
CHANCE

70' Rashford receives the ball in space just outside the box. He shifts the ball to his right and strikes a fierce effort on goal. It looks to be nestling in the corner but Navas gets a finger on it to deny him. 

21:26

66' Pogba comes on to replace Telles, who had a very encouraging debut tonight. 

21:26

65' This is end to end stuff at the moment. Both teams attacking with pace and purpose. Game has really opened up, feel like there's at least one more goal in this.

21:24
Paul Pogba is stripped and ready to enter the fray

Should be seeing the Frenchman in the next break of play.

21:22
Here's a look at PSG's equaliser...

It really was comedy own goal from Martial.

21:19
CHANCE

58' PSG half clear a corner but Telles puts it back into the danger zone. Martial leaps to meet it but his header loops on to the top of the net. 

21:18
CHANCE

57' Rashford beats Kimpembe to a loose ball and drives towards the box. Just as he is about to pull the trigger some good last-ditch defending from Danilo sees the ball go behind for a corner. 

21:17
CHANCE

56' Di Maria clips a ball towards Mbappe, who takes it in his stride. The PSG forward looks certain to stroke the ball past De Gea but Wan-Bissaka slides to make a goal-saving block. United under the cosh here. Just need to get through these next five minutes.

21:13
PSG 1-1 Manchester United (Martial OG)

54' Martial is on the front post and jumps unchallenged to clear a corner but the ball flicks off the side of his head and finds the corner. What a devastating way to concede for United. PSG had been going through the gears and will fancy their chances now. Game on.

21:08
CHANCE

48' Mbappe goes past McTominay, drops a shoulder to chop inside Wan-Bissaka and then bends one towards the corner but De Gea is again there to thwart him, diving across to make a superb finger-tip save.

21:07
CHANCE

47' Fernandes sends the ball over the top for Rashford and United are in, two on one. Rashford has Martial over to his left and opts to try and pick his man out but get his pass completely wrong. The United forward should have gone his own. A big opportunity wasted.

21:04
PEEEEEEEEP!

And we are back underway here.

21:04

45' Who does Tuchel turn to in times of trouble... Everton flop Moise Kean. The young forward comes on to replace Irissa Gueye. PSG need to inject some urgency into their play, can he be the man to do it? 

21:03
The players are back out on the pitch...

Second half is coming up next.

21:00
De Gea appreciation post

The United keeper was called into action on several occasions in that first half and was answer to it every time. Here's some of his big moments from the opening 45 minutes...

20:51
Here is why Fernandes was allowed to re-take his penalty...

As you can see, PSG can have no complaints. Navas had both feet way off his line before making the save. 

20:47
PEEEEEEEEP!

That's it for the first half, United go into the break with the lead. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer couldn't really have asked for much better than that. PSG have been off the pace but it only takes a moment and this game could all change with players like Mbappe and Neymar around. Big 45 coming up for both teams. 

20:45
CHANCE

44' Kurzawa bends in a cross towards Mbappe, who attempts to turn the ball in first time. The ball richochets off him and a United defender and almost falls for him a second time but De Gea reacts quick to the danger and swipes the ball away.

20:43

42' Mbappe has barely had a kick this evening. United doing a really good job of nullifying him. Neymar has looked bright at times but United fully deserving of this lead. 

20:40
CHANCE

39' McTominay rises the highest to meet the resulting corner but it takes a deflection off Danilo and just spins wide of the post. Navas was scrambling and would have been in trouble. PSG with their backs against the wall here.

20:39
CHANCE

38' Again United work it well down the left. Telles picks out Fernandes, who shifts the ball on to his right foot and curls one from around 25 yards. Navas gets down well to turn around the post.

20:37

35' Scott McTominay goes into the book for a late challenge on Neymar. He's had a few nibbles at the Brazilian already and needs to be careful now.

20:36

33' Neymar sends a lovely-weighted pass down the line for Mbappe, who tries to burst into the box. Axel Tuanzebe matches him stride for stride and confidently shrugs the PSG star off the ball. The PSG players' arms go up in appeal but it was a good piece of defending from the United youngster. His first big test of the evening and he dealt with it well.

20:30
Here's the save, then the goal and the celebration
20:24
PSG 0-1 Manchester United (Fernandes)

22' Fernandes goes the same corner, sends Navas the wrong way. Real composure from the Portuguese star. He's given United the perfect start here.

20:23
But wait, there's drama here as United will get another chance

22' Navas had both feet well off his line and it's ordered to be re-taken. PSG players are furious but the replays show the referees are spot on.

20:22
MISS

21' Save from Navas! The PSG keeper gets down to his left to save a pretty tame penalty from Fernandes...

20:21
Penalty United!

20' Martial gets a touch on the ball before Diallo and goes down from his trip. Stone wall. Bruno Fernandes standing over it. He's normally pretty reliable from these situations...

20:20
CHANCE

18' Some nice build-up play from United down the left sees the ball eventually fall to Martial. The United forward drives forward but is crowded out by several PSG defenders. He spots a gap in between the two defenders and tries to bend it in the top corner but it goes well wide.

20:14
CHANCE

13' Neymar delivers a teasing ball into the box for Kurzawa, who is on the stretch to tap it in. De Gea somehow gets his body in the way to deny the PSG defender from just a matter of yards. Big couple of moments for De Gea.

20:12
CHANCE

11' Di Maria finds himself in a pocket of space outside the box. He receives the ball and immediately gets it out his feet before whipping a shot on goal but De Gea springs across his goal line to turn round the corner.

20:09
CHANCE

8' Fernandes whips in a dangerous first-time ball from the right and it very nearly falls at the feet of Rashford but Diallo just gets enough on it for Navas to gather.

20:06

5' Not much to report in these opening five minutes. PSG have had a couple of corners but they came to nothing. United have settled quickly though and have looked to be positive early on. They could have some joy here tonight if they can get the ball in behind the PSG defence. There's plenty of pace up top and already there has been one or two warning signs with Martial almost finding the perfect pass to put Rashford in on goal.

20:00
PEEEEEEEEEEEP!

And United get us underway.

19:58
Teams are coming out of the tunnel...

It doesn't get much bigger than this. PSG vs United in the Champions League. Both sides will be keen to start their campaigns with a bang. It should be an interesting one so don't go anywhere. Kick-off is up next.

19:50
The players have finished their warm-ups and will be getting their last instructions from their bosses

Just 10 minutes to go now! 

19:47
Solskjaer speaks ahead of tonight's big test

'Of course it's great to be back in the Champions League and playing in these games, we're playing one of the best teams in the world tonight, they got to the final last season and have some of the best players in the world. It's the kind of game our boys have been dreaming about playing in.

'Of course every game you play is a chance to show what you are about and for us this is a test of character, for the players to show they can play in the big games and we are looking forward to playing against one of Europe's better sides.

'We put a team together which we feel is the best we could have started with tonight. Alex makes his debut which is fantastic for him and what a stage for him to do it on.

'You need to do everything right, you can't have a moment when you blink, you need have concentration. We know they have players who are quick and they are quick at transitioning which is one of our strengths as well. So we need to defend well and move forward quickly when we have the ball.'

19:34
Ferdinand and Fletcher wax lyrical about United's skipper tonight Bruno Fernandes

Darren Fletcher: 'Unbelievable signing. He took the club to the next level. Everything about his game, he has goals, assists, personality. You need personality to play for Man United and he has bags of it. He's been an inspirational signing.'

Rio Ferdinand: 'He's not even been here a year, and he walks in to the captaincy role because Harry Maguire is out, that tells you how good he has been.'

19:26
It's no revelation that Mbappe and Neymar will be the danger men tonight...

The PSG stars have started the season in devastating fashion with Mbappe scoring four and registering four assists in as many games and Neymar notching two and an assist from his three games.

United's defence will certainly have their work cut out but will their back-five be able to win the battle and stifle PSG's deadly duo? It could be where the game is won and lost tonight.

19:16
United and PSG stars are in the building...

Not too long to go now. Just 45 minutes until we get underway here in Paris and the anticipation is building. We could be in for a real treat tonight.

19:13
Fair to say Rio Ferdinand's not feeling too optimistic about United's chances of going far in the competition this season

When asked about their expectations on BT Sport, Ferdinand replied: 'I think with the group they've got, they'll be happy to get out the group. I mean PSG, Leipzig will be a problem so it's going to be a really tough group for United.'

19:09
This will be the team United will face

PSG XI: Navas, Florenzi, Diallo, Kimpembe, Kurzawa, Ander Herrera, Danilo Pereira, Gueye, Di Maria, Mbappe, Neymar

19:03
Here's how United will line-up against PSG tonight

Big news is no Paul Pogba or Donny van de Beek while Alex Telles comes in for his debut. Looks like quite a defensive team from Solskjaer with five at the back. A lot of pace up top as well so set up perfectly for the counter.

18:57
United may have just signed a former PSG talisman but there will be no reunion for Edinson Cavani tonight (so don't put him on as your first goalscorer)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said that Cavani needs to show more in training if he is to break into the United team.

Find out more about Solskjaer's reasoning for leaving the striker at home in the below article.

18:53
It's a big night for Fernandes...

And ahead of captaining United for the first time, the Portuguese certiainly did not pull any punches in his assessment of their start to the season.

Read more below

18:44
WATCH: Here's what happened the last time these two teams met in Paris...

This was the night Solskjaer secured the job as United boss and although things have not gone as well as some may have hoped after this win, it will go down as one of the great European comebacks ever.

18:36
Good evening...

The Champions League is back with a bang tonight with a blockbuster clash between PSG and Manchester United the pick of the bunch.

That game will be our focus here and I have the pleasure of covering the live action from the Parc des Princes tonight, so make sure you stick with me.

There's still an hour and a half until kick-off, but fear not, we have got plenty of build-up to whet the appetite...

Let's start with THAT famous United win on French soil two seasons ago.

 

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