Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Defends Paul Pogba But Calls PSG Defeat a 'Reality Check' for Man Utd

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told his players to 'learn from the experience' of their 0-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their round of 16 tie in the Champions League. 

Second half goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe at Old Trafford on Tuesday night ensured that PSG take two away goals that could prove crucial in the overall tie. 

The match was United's first defeat under the Norwegian since he took charge of the Red Devils in December, ending a run of 11 games without defeat. 

Speaking to BT Sport, via BBC Sport, Solskjaer said: "They had the momentum after the first goal and controlled the game. You could see that we hadn't played at this level for a while and we will have to learn. It was an experience that can go either way, it's not going to be a season defining one, it's one we have to learn from.

Asked about Paul Pogba's late sending off, Solskjaer defended what appeared to be a bad tackle on Dani Alves from the Frenchman.

He said: "Paul Pogba is trying to get his body across and Dani Alves is clever enough to put his foot in there. Paul wants to shield the ball, he's unlucky."

Summarising the game and the task ahead in the second leg, Solksjaer added: "Mountains are there to be climbed, you can't lay down and say this is over. We will go there, play our game and improve from today.

Jean Catuffe/GettyImages

"Today is a reality check for us."

The Red Devils return to action on Monday, as they travel to Chelsea for a fifth round tie in the FA Cup. The second leg of their Champions League tie against PSG is on 6 March at 20:00 GMT.