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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United are set to host French champions Paris Saint-Germain in a high-profile UEFA Champions League encounter at Old Trafford.The Red Devils were far from being the favourites to progress to the next stage of the tournament heading into the UCL campaign, given that they were up against the semi-finalists and the finalists of the previous edition. However, United took Group H by storm and won three out of their four games, including a devastating 5-0 demolition of RB Leipzig and a 2-1 win away at Paris.
While Solskjaer's men need just a point or more to seal qualification to the Round of 16, PSG need a bit more than that after a challenging start. The Parisiens have recorded two wins and as many losses so far and are in dire need of three points from their clash at Old Trafford.
Ahead of their trip to Manchester, here, we take a look at the best combined XI from both sides. Only players available for the clash will be considered, ruling out the likes of Mauro Icardi, Luke Shaw and other injured stars.
Goalkeeper
Keylor Navas
Costa Rican veteran Keylor Navas has enjoyed a stellar time in Paris since his move from the Spanish capital last year. The former Real Madrid keeper has had a significant impact on PSG's backline, and considering that the goalkeeper spot is one that they've often struggled with in the past, it's been a superb piece of business for the Qatar-backed club.
After helping fire his side to the finals of the UCL last year with a string of memorable displays, Navas has continued his fine form this year with a superb start to the season. The 33-year-old has managed six clean sheets in his eight starts in Ligue 1 so far, and recorded a further two shutouts in four UCL appearances. Navas also boasts a league-high save percentage of 85% this year.
He will be vital to stopping Manchester United's in-form attackers at Old Trafford as PSG look to register a crucial win.
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Defence
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe, Alex Telles
The left-back spot presents a tricky situation as both sides' first-choice left-backs or players that have occupied the role for a prolonged period are unavailable. Luke Shaw picked up a hamstring injury prior to the international break while Juan Bernat, PSG's go-to left-back, is currently recovering from a long-term injury and is unlikely to return this calendar year. This leaves Alex Telles, United's latest acquisition, as the first choice for the position in this side.
The Brazilian has been impressive in his limited game time so far, and is in line for a start at Old Trafford. His counterpart on the right flank is his United teammate Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was one of the chief architects of the Red Devils' win in Paris. The Englishman was simply unplayable at the Parc des Princes, constantly thwarting Kylian Mbappe and Neymar down the right-hand side. Wan-Bissaka has also helped United nullify several wide threats they've faced so far.
The two centre-back spots are occupied by PSG duo Presnel Kimpembe and Marquinhos. The Frenchman and the Brazilian were at the heart of PSG's defensive resilience during their run to the final last year and have been in stellar form for both club and country.
Kimpembe and Marquinhos' excellent defensive record this year is another reason for their selection ahead of Harry Maguire, and Victor Lindelof as the United defence hasn't particularly been at its best this season. The PSG skipper, in particular, has been in superb touch, helping PSG keep five clean sheets and conceding just one goal in his last six games.
Also read: 5 Most valuable defensive midfielders in the world
Central Midfield
Fred, Marco Verratti
Brazilian midfielder Fred has undisputedly been one of Manchester United's most indispensable players this season. The 27-year-old has often divided opinion during his career as a Red Devil, and despite that still being applicable for this season, his work ethic and defensive coverage has been superb. In fact, United have only lost one game — a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at home — with Fred in the starting XI this season.
Fred has been pivotal of this United midfield, and his energy and press resistance have been key components for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's approach. While he still remains a bit too untidy on the ball and has a knack of giving away the ball too cheaply at times, his counterpart in this midfield pairing, Marco Verratti, is on the other end of the spectrum.
The Italian international, when fit, is one of the most impressive midfield controllers in Europe. Verratti has long been a vital cog for the French champions and is player who can help dominate midfields with his superb vision, ability to wriggle out of tight spaces and tremendous work rate. Verratti has averaged a staggering 93.3 passes per 90 minutes this season for PSG, a figure that is at least 24 passes higher than any player on either side.
Attacking midfield
Bruno Fernandes
Arguably one of the first names on the teamsheet, Bruno Fernandes is one of the most in-form midfielders in world football at the moment. The Portuguese playmaker had a phenomenal impact on Manchester United last season after his winter move from Sporting Lisbon, and has picked up right where he left off with another scintillating campaign so far.
The 26-year-old has already racked up seven goals and three assists in his opening nine Premier League appearances, and also has three goals and an assist to his name in the UCL. Fernandes has been the driving force not only of the United midfield but of the entire team, with his mentality and leadership ability on the pitch.
Manchester United's #18 will undoubtedly be PSG's most significant concern heading into the game, and he was also on target the last time the two sides met in Paris.
Attack
Neymar Jr, Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Rashford
Out of the different areas in this combined XI, the front line is, perhaps, the easiest to select. PSG superstars Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappe — two of the most expensive players in football history — arguably walk into arguably any and every side in Europe due to their undeniable quality.
Neymar was simply unplayable during PSG's run to the UCL final last year and is regarded as one of the finest footballers in the world. The Brazilian was one of the best players in the tournament as a whole last year. While much of the same can be said about Mbappe, it is the Frenchman who has had a more explosive start to this season, racking up nine goals and four assists in just eight league games so far.
When Neymar and Mbappe play alongside each other, it most certainly is a terrifying prospect for any side in the world as they're capable of ripping opposition defences to shreds. The PSG stars occupy the two of the three attacking positions in this XI without too much of a competition, and the third slot will be occupied by Manchester United superstar Marcus Rashford.
With Mauro Icardi unavailable for the clash and Edinson Cavani having started just one game this season, this was a relatively tricky choice to make as Rashford hasn't particularly been at his best in the ongoing Premier League campaign.
However, Rashford is the second-highest scorer in the UCL this year with five goals and has been a devastating player to come up against, as RB Leipzig found out the hard way. The 23-year-old was relentless against the Germans at Old Trafford, scoring the quickest hat-trick by a substitute in the tournament's illustrious history.
The England international also scored a sumptuous winner late into the two sides' previous meeting in Paris, swirling past Danilo Pereira and unleashing an arrowed strike past the reach of Keylor Navas. Rashford's fiery form in Europe this year gives him the nod for the third slot in this attack, completing what could be, on paper, one of the most exciting front lines the UEFA Champions League.
Also read: 10 Most expensive footballers from famous footballing nations
