Thomas Tuchel is braced for Paris Saint-Germain’s difficult trip to Manchester United in their opening leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie.
The Red Devils were pitted against the Ligue 1 giants in Monday’s last-16 draw after Jose Mourinho’s side finished in second place in their group behind Serie A side Juventus.
Manchester United missed out on the chance to top their group following a 2-1 loss to Valencia at The Mestalla last week after Juventus slipped up at Young Boys.
PSG managed to secure top spot in a difficult group that contained Manchester United’s bitter rivals Liverpool FC, Napoli and Red Star Belgrade.
Tuchel’s men lost 3-2 to Liverpool FC at Anfield in their group-stage opener, but PSG exacted revenge in the reverse fixture after a 2-1 win at Parc des Princes.
Manchester United suffered at the hands of Jurgen Klopp’s men on Sunday after goals from Sadio Mane and Xherdan Shaqiri sealed a 3-1 victory.
The Red Devils are in sixth place and 19 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool FC, while PSG are 10 points ahead of Lille having played two games less than their title rivals.
Reacting to PSG’s last-16 draw against Manchester United in the Champions League, Tuchel told his media conference on Monday:
“We have the quality to win at Old Trafford. I’m confident for my team, but it’s a great test, a challenge.
“If I were a spectator, I would watch this game on television.
“The round of 16 is always tough. I do not think we are favourites.
“We must respect the clubs that have experience of these major meetings in the Champions League, such as Manchester United. They have won this competition several times.
“It will be important to show our desire to win, but also that in the two months before we play every game thoroughly – it would be a great mistake to now just focus on the Champions League game.”
The Red Devils will welcome PSG to Old Trafford on Tuesday 12 February before the return trip to the French capital on Wednesday 6 March.
Manchester United finished in second spot in the Premier League table last term to qualify for the Champions League.
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