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Manchester United welcome French giants Paris Saint-Germain to the Old Trafford for the first leg of the crunch Champions League tie on Tuesday. And to spice it up, this is going to be their first ever official meeting in a European competition.
Both sides had to negotiate through a serpentine path to reach the gates of last 16, but now one of these would see their burgeoning European hopes come to a head.
The Red Devils hold an advantage on paper given PSG's injury woes and the home comforts, but the Ligue 1 champions have the might to turn it around in the return leg.
Yet, there are nagging undercurrents that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's swashbuckling group might nick this one at the expense of the Champions League's perennial bridesmaids. Here are three reasons why it might happen:
#1 Manchester United's rich vein of form
Ever since Jose Mourinho left, Manchester United have been a different beast; more ferocious and fearsome than they've been all season. And the stats are there for all to see: 10 wins, including away to Tottenham and Arsenal, in 11 games in all competitions following the 3-1 loss to Liverpool in December.
Even though most of their other opponents weren't exactly formidable, the confidence and swagger with which the Red Devils are steamrolling their way definitely indicates a massive upturn in form. For the record, they have also struck 28 times along the way, more than what they could accrue in the previous 19 games under Mourinho.
Not only has the defense improved manifold since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over, but the strike force is a new beast altogether. Manchester United are currently functioning as the most cohesive unit they've been in a long time, with all the vital cogs perfectly oiled. Also, the thick and hazy clouds under Mourinho's reigns have long disappeared to make way for a new, bright sunshine over Old Trafford.
Of course, Paris Saint-Germain are a different kettle of fish and expecting another shellacking would be a big ask. But the visitors would definitely be wary of United's imperious vein of form that could ruffle a few feathers nonetheless.
#2 PSG's injury woes
Following the 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in the first-leg of the last 16 in the Champions League last year, PSG lost Neymar to a season-ending injury and were obliterated by the eventual champions at home as well. Just 12 months on, history has not only repeated itself, but has shored up grimmer prospects for the French leviathans.
The Brazilian is once again ruled out of the clash after sustaining a metatarsal injury on 23rd January, and this time, he'd also be joined on the sidelines by his attacking cohort Edinson Cavani as the Uruguayan injured his tendon in the weekend.
Plus, there's Thomas Meunier in the casualty list too, depriving the visitors of some of their instrumental players ahead of this crunch tie. And to make matters worse, Neymar isn't expected to be fit for the return leg as well.
Manager Thomas Tuchel is already feeling the heat. Les Parisians do have sufficient replacements, but would have to make do with a makeshift team rather than their strongest XI.
Ominous signs for the mighty Frenchmen.
#3 Rashford and Pogba's deadly combination
Paul Pogba's relations with Jose Mourinho was on the rocks this season whereas the Portuguese gaffer didn't trust Marcus Rashford enough. These factors slowly seeped through their performances on the field as both struggled during the first-half of the season.
But now, Pogba and Rashford, very contrastingly, are thriving in their best runs. In fact, in 10 games that they've started under Solskjaer, at least one of them has had a hand in nine of those.
The 21-year-old Englishman has become the searing spearhead of the team, netting six times and assisting twice. His precise finishing belies his tender age and predatory instincts inside the area can cause the most dreaded migraines to the defense.
Pogba, on the other hand, is finally liberated. He has been given the license to roam forward and get involved in the attack as he would like. This has seen him accrue eight goals, including three doubles, and lay three assists as well.
His current form is reminiscent of his heroics during France's successful World Cup campaign last summer, and is etching his name as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this season.
Both are undoubtedly going to start against PSG on Tuesday, and if let unhindered, can wreak havoc in the PSG half, as the visitors have quiet a task to negotiate with.
