Neymar and Marco Verratti doubts for Manchester United clash

Manchester United’s hopes of beating Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League’s first knockout round have been boosted by the news that two of the French side’s star players are struggling with injuries. Forward Neymar and midfielder Marco Verratti have both picked up knocks that could rule them out of at least the first leg, which takes place on 12 February.

Verratti hasn’t played for the Parisian club since picking up an ankle injury in their 9-0 (yes, nine-nil) win over Guingamp a couple of weeks ago. Neymar, meanwhile, sustained a recurrence of a long-running metatarsal injury in a 2-0 win over Racing Strasbourg in the French Cup on Wednesday. As of yet, it is not known whether either player will be fit for the trip to Old Trafford next month.

PSG currently sit 10 points clear of second-placed Lille in the Ligue 1 table, with a remarkable three games in hand. They’ve not lost a league game all season, and Thomas Tuchel’s side remain favourites to beat United next month.