MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United left themselves with a mountain to climb to progress in the Champions League, as Paris Saint-Germain inflicted the first defeat of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign as caretaker boss.
The French champions, inspired by Kylian Mbappe, scored twice in the second half at Old Trafford in a 2-0 victory Tuesday to put themselves in the driver's seat to qualify for the quarterfinals.
After an even but eventful first half, Presnel Kimpembe, who was lucky to escape a second booking before half-time, and Mbappe scored inside the first 15 minutes of the second half to leave United needing a big win at the Parc des Princes to go through.
They will have to do it without Paul Pogba, who was sent off in the final minutes after picking up a second yellow card, which will rule the midfielder out of the return leg on March 6.
Positives
It was a disappointing night for United, but David De Gea ensured the result was not as bad as it could have been. The Spaniard, who has been linked with a move to PSG, produced two good saves from Mbappe and another from Juan Bernat to keep his team in the tie ahead of the return leg in Paris in three weeks' time. Had it not been for De Gea's performance in the second half, it could already be over.
Negatives
With big games against Chelsea and Liverpool to come over the next 10 days, Solskjaer could have done without injuries to two key players. Jesse Lingard was substituted in the first half with a hamstring injury, and Anthony Martial was replaced at half-time after suffering a muscle strain. It means two of Solskjaer's first-choice front three are in doubt ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge on Monday.
Manager rating out of 10
6 -- The Norwegian picked the team most expected with Eric Bailly in the centre of defence ahead of Phil Jones, but it was unfortunate his game plan went out of the window when Lingard and Martial picked up injuries in the first half. He perhaps left it a little late to throw on Romelu Lukaku when United needed a goal.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK David De Gea, 8 -- Quick to get to Mbappe and smother the first big chance of a cagey opening. Made a good save from Mbappe's header and again when the Frenchman went clean through.
DF Ashley Young, 5 -- Got one of the biggest cheers of the night for nudging Angel Di Maria into the advertising boards but let the Argentine cross for Mbappe to double PSG's lead in the second half.
DF Luke Shaw, 6 -- Couldn't get forward with Dani Alves and Thilo Kehrer both playing down PSG's right but most of United's problems came on the other side.
DF Victor Lindelof, 5 -- Back in the team after injury ruled him out at Fulham. Struggled with Mbappe's pace as the 20-year-old scored his 23rd goal in 28 games this season.
DF Eric Bailly, 5 -- Preferred to Jones at centre-back. Had a couple of rash moments and failed to cut out Di Maria's cross for Mbappe to tap in the second from 6 yards out.
MF Nemanja Matic, 6 -- The Serbian had a good first half but went to sleep in the penalty area when Kimpembe ran off him to put PSG in front early in the second half from Di Maria's corner.
MF Ander Herrera, 6 -- Asked to look after Marco Verratti and did a good job. Came close to equalising with a volley that bounced just wide as United struggled to create clear cut chances.
MF Paul Pogba, 5 -- Singled out as the danger man by PSG and was the man marked by Marquinhos. Booked early and lucky to get away with a lunge on Alves before doing it again in the last minute and seeing red.
FW Jesse Lingard, 6 -- Linked well with Marcus Rashford and was finding pockets of space to cause PSG problems but was forced off with a hamstring injury before half-time.
FW Anthony Martial, 4 -- The man in form after his performance at Fulham but barely had a touch in 45 minutes here. Picked up an injury in the first half and didn't come back out after the break.
FW, Marcus Rashford, 6 -- Rested at Fulham in preparation for PSG. Had one fierce shot that was beaten away by Gianluigi Buffon at the near post, but that was his only sight of goal.
Substitutes
FW Alexis Sanchez, 5 (for Jesse Lingard, 45) -- Didn't offer much.
FW Juan Mata, 6 (for Anthony Martial, 45) -- Lively on the right.
FW Romelu Lukaku, N/R (for Marcus Rashford, 84) -- Brought on late and didn't see much of the ball.