UCL: PSG confirm that Cavani out of Man United match

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Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed that the club's record scorer Edinson Cavani will miss Tuesday's Champions League match away to Manchester United.

Uruguay striker Cavani, who has scored 192 goals for PSG, sustained a hip muscle injury in Saturday's 1-0 Ligue 1 victory over Bordeaux adding to the side's injury woes ahead of the last-16 first leg.

PSG are already without Neymar, who was ruled out with a foot injury, leaving the French side with only Kylian Mbappe as a world class striking option. Fullback Thomas Meunier has also been ruled out.

"You cannot replace quality players like this, Neymar is one of the key, key players in Europe and we miss him a lot and now we miss a second key player with Edi," Tuchel told reporters on Monday.

However, he did not expect the French league leaders to change their style of play.

PSG Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani (C) leaves the football pitch after an injury during the Ligue 1 match between PSG and Bordeaux at Parc des Princes, Paris, France, February 9, 2019. /VCG Photo

"We miss two key attacking players, but to change our identity for that? ... I don't know if it's the moment. We are PSG, we are used to playing offensively and creating chances," he said.

Tuchel added that it was wrong to expect Kylian Mbappe to make up for the injured South American pair.

"It's not really his job to replace Cavani and Neymar, and he can't do all three things at the same time," said Tuchel.

"I want us to play with courage, play as a team, together, tight-knit, fight, ready to suffer. And I think I don't really want to talk about the result but we want to score perhaps more than one (goal)."

PSG players in action during a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg match against Man Utd at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, February 11, 2019 /VCG Photo

Solskjaer side

Manchester United are unbeaten in all competitions since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho in December and their improvement is down to the Norwegian's insistence on an attacking style of play, as opposed to the defensive fare served up by his predecessor.

"We've got to rediscover the Manchester United way of playing, and I don't think many teams enjoy their nights at Old Trafford when we're on song," Solskjaer, who has ten wins and a draw so far, told the UEFA website.

"It's about taking the game to the opposition, always believing in yourself. If you asked other managers who played against Sir Alex (Ferguson)'s teams, the pace and the tempo going forward was key.

"I have three good forwards myself. As well as (Marcus) Rashford, (Anthony) Martial, (Romelu) Lukaku, we have (Alexis) Sanchez and (Jesse) Lingard. They can challenge PSG's defense."

Manchester United players in action during a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg match against PSG at Aon Training Complex in Manchester, England, February 11, 2019 /VCG Photo

Solskjaer's managerial record in domestic competitions with United speaks for itself, but Tuesday's match will be his first test against elite European competition.

Progress for United in the Champions League would reinforce the case for Solskjaer to be named United's permanent manager and the 45-year-old has fond memories of the tournament.

"The biggest nights of my career have been Champions League nights," said Solskjaer, who scored the winner for United in the 1999 final which helped the club complete a treble, including the Premier League and FA Cup titles.

"When you get to this stage of the tournament, with the floodlights on, these are the games that you really look forward to."

Source(s): Reuters