Manchester United 0-2 Paris Saint-Germain: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer calls Champions League defeat ‘reality check’ for Red Devils

Manchester United were given a ‘reality check’ by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, with the French side securing an impressive 2-0 win at Old Trafford in the Champions League round of 16.

The Red Devils have a real task on their hand to progress to the competition’s quarter-finals, as they must win by at least three clear goals in Paris in next month’s return leg – and they have to do it without Paul Pogba, who was dismissed late on for two bookable offences.

PSG ran riot at Old Trafford despite missing both Edinson Cavani and Neymar, with Presnel Kimpembe, the defender, and Kylian Mbappe both finding a way past David de Gea; it it were not for the goalkeeper, United would have been on the end of an even more emphatic defeat.

Tuesday’s loss was the first of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign as interim manager, with his previous 11 matches resulting in 10 wins and a draw.

Hopes were high before the match that United could keep their remarkable run going against an under-strength PSG side, but the perennial Ligue 1 champions proved to be just too good for the Red Devils – and Solskjaer admits his team could not match PSG for quality.

“We weren’t at the level,” he said after full-time. “This is a level up from what we have played against with the games we’ve had.

“We’ve had a great run, we came into this game in a great frame of mind, great form but of course it was a big step up, they have quality from the keeper to the striker.

“There is a reason behind them being one of the favourites for the Champions League. That’s the level we need to aim for at this club.

“Of course it’s a reality check. The top four is one thing but we want to be at the top and Manchester United should be at the top.

“This is a top, top team that we played against. Our players are disappointed after the game, of course, but I also think they know that we need to step up our level to get to the level that we want to get to.”

United could face a UEFA probe after it emerged unpopular former winger Angel Di Maria was struck by a bottle thrown from the crowd. PSG could also be in trouble as an item landed at the feet of Luke Shaw in the first half.

Di Maria was the architect of PSG’s victory, providing the corner that allowed Kimpembe to open the scoring in the 53rd minute before teeing up Mbappe on the hour.

PSG head coach Thomas Tuchel thought his Argentinian forward had been below par before the interval but was delighted he delivered a stunning riposte in the second half.

He said: “In the first half it was a bit hard for him playing right in front of me and losing many easy balls. He had a bit of a hard time because I was close to him.

“Maybe he was a bit nervous and a bit overused because he plays all the time for us.

“I’m happy he stayed confident, he’s always super reliable, he always gives his best and for that it’s easy to forgive him when he has not such a good first half.

“It’s always dangerous for him from the corners and of course a superb assist, it was a perfect pass for Kylian. It was a nice comeback for him, I’m very happy for him and of course he helped us a lot.”