The Stats That Show Just How Big a Mountain Man Utd Have to Climb in Second Leg Against PSG
Manchester United will have to write a new chapter in European football history, if they want to progress into the next round of the Champions League following their 2-0 defeat at home to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
Second half goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappé have given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side a mountain to climb ahead of their return to the Parc des Princes, while Paul Pogba's late red card given them another hurdle to get over.
Stats released by Opta shortly after the final whistle show that none of the previous 34 teams to lose the first leg of a Champions League knockout match at home by two or more goals have progressed to the next round.
In addition, Tuesday's defeat against Paris Saint-Germain was also Manchester United's biggest ever home defeat in any European competition, an extra dampener on Solskjaer's first ever defeat as their manager.
If history and gut feeling wasn't enough to rule Manchester United out of a historic comeback in the French capital next month, then Paris Saint-Germain's injury news should be a cause for concern.
Brazil international forward Neymar will still be missing for the second leg, but Edinson Cavani and Thomas Meunier should return after the pair were ruled out of the first leg through a hip injury and concussion respectively.
In the meantime, Manchester United will want to regroup ahead of their fifth round FA Cup match against Chelsea, as well as their Premier League clash against bitter rivals Liverpool.
The Red Devils also have games against Crystal Palace and Southampton in the pipeline before they travel to face Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the Champions League knockout stages.
