This post contains affiliate links. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
Manchester United and PSG served up a wonderfully chaotic 90 minutes of Champions League football on Wednesday night as the French champions took the winners 3-1 at Old Trafford.
United were at the top for much of the game, but Fred was sent off with 21 minutes to go and a Neymar double ultimately doomed the Red Devils to defeat, leaving Group H fascinatingly prepared for the final round of matches.
If you are in Group H:
PSG (5 games, 9 points)
➋ Man Utd (5 games, 9 points)
➌ RB Leipzig (5 games, 9 points)
➍ Istanbul (5 games, 3 points)? #UCL pic.twitter.com/BOyAXb9b95
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) December 2, 2020
PSG took the lead after six minutes, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé combined perfectly before the former got into the near post.
United should have been one goal and one less player when Fred showed up to head butt Leandro Paredes. The referee went to check the monitor, initially he could not find the monitor and finally chose to give the Brazilian a yellow card. The pair then continued to fight for the rest of the first half.
Looking at Fred vs Paredes in their half, you would think that there was some kind of rivalry between Brazil and Argentina.
– Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) December 2, 2020
The referee just gave Fred a yellow card after heading Leo Paredes. Nicolas Pepe headbutted a Leeds player two weeks ago and was immediately sent off. I’ve never seen anything like this before. ERA strikes again.
– FutbolBible (@FutbolBible) December 2, 2020
Fred was treading a fine line and United fans insisted that he should have been replaced as soon as possible. But Ole knows better and I’m sure it didn’t go wrong.
Get Fred to substitute before it’s too late.
– Eddie White. (@ 1957eddie) December 2, 2020
We need to get Fred out at halftime.
He’s lost his damn mind.
– shirtless banana show (@Nigerianscamsss) December 2, 2020
Not to be outdone, Scott McTominay and Neymar then enjoyed a little fight after the Brazilian forward found himself on the receiving end of a sliding tackle, with a smug fight between the pair continuing through the tunnel at halftime.
Scott McTominay has Neymar nervous. I’m dead. Imagine seeing Scott’s face constantly laughing at you. I think I’d like to go home.
– Jordan Clarke (@FourFourJordan) December 2, 2020
Mcsauce leaves the locker room trying to spot Neymar again pic.twitter.com/GPISiVQwb8
– pastor dax (@DaX_Utd) December 2, 2020
United came out with all their weapons in the second half with the game there for the taking. Edinson Cavani hit the crossbar with a fabulous chip, and Anthony Martial saw two great opportunities in begging.
But with the Red Devils comfortably on the better side, PSG inevitably took the lead once again, Marquinhos reaching in from a corner.
And just to add insult to injury, not having been sent off for something he did in the first half, Fred was sent off for something he didn’t do in the second after being tried for catching Ander Herrera with a late tackle. .
⏱️ 67 ‘- United at the top with many occasions.
⏱️ 69 ‘- PSG takes the lead and Fred is sent off.#MUPSG | #UCL pic.twitter.com/KohYlkBOLV
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) December 2, 2020
This instantly raised the question of why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hadn’t taken Fred out at halftime, with the United midfielder on thin ice for most of the game with Nemanja Matic sitting on the bench.
Ole is paid handsomely for making crucial decisions like that when it matters most. There was no way he should have kept Fred when he was in yellow and saw how the PSG players were behaving throughout the game. It is absolutely criminal and could cost us the CL rating.
– The Way of Man Utd (@TheManUtdWay) December 2, 2020
How is it possible that a guy who has been submissive his entire career doesn’t know when to make substitutes?
– Pøgba Senior (@TheSaItIsHere) December 2, 2020
United continued to press for the draw, before Neymar closed the victory in style for PSG. The striker passed a handful of United defenders on the midline, charged into the box and put the finishing touches on the play he started.
Harry Maguire, meet Neymar.
Take a sit pic.twitter.com/Qr77kKR1BB
– Bongani_Cartel (@Pena_Cartel) December 2, 2020
Filth. Any bright side, Ole?
At least mctominay grabbed neymar a couple of times, huh? #MUFC pic.twitter.com/P198ikHiuA
– Percival ?? (@TheHatredDevil) December 2, 2020