Manchester United Women will make the trip to the French capital as we take on Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the Women’s Champions League qualifying round on Wednesday evening. The game is evenly poised after we played out a 1-1 draw last week at Leigh Sports Village.
United are competing in the Champions League for the first time after finishing second in the Women’s Super League last season. In the first leg, it looked like the Reds would be tasting defeat after Tabitha Chawinga gave PSG the lead. Melvine Malard came off the bench to score the equaliser to ensure we go to Paris on equal terms.
On Sunday, we were held to another 1-1 draw against Leicester City in the league, which will have left head coach Marc Skinner frustrated. The Reds had to come from behind again as Maya Le Tissier cancelled out Leicester’s Aileen Whelan strike. The game also saw Gabby George suffer an anterior cruciate ligament injury meaning she will now miss the rest of the season.
Though we have not lost in our last four competitive games this season, we have played out three consecutive draws across all competitions. We have conceded the opening in all four games, so United will be hoping to make a good start on Wednesday.
Manchester United Women’s Team News
As mentioned, United is without Gabby George after suffering an ACL during the game against Leicester. Emma Watson is also on the sidelines with the same injury. Aoife Mannion is in the treatment room with a quad issue. After being rested on Sunday, Geyse is expected to return to the squad for the trip to Paris.
Manchester United Women Predicted Lineup
Earps; Riviere, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Ladd, Zelem; Geyse, Toone, Galton; and Garcia.
Opposition Preview
For the last five seasons, Paris Saint-Germain has reached the quarter-final stage and will be favourites heading into the second leg to advance into the group stages. They will have been satisfied with the draw despite conceding after Tabita Chawinga had opened the scoring in the 54th minute.
PSG was back in league action at the weekend at Reims. However, the game had to be abandoned after fireworks were launched onto the pitch from outside the stadium The game was goalless when it was called off in the 46th minute. They will now turn their attention back to the Champions League where they will be hoping to end their four-game winless run in European matches.
Paris Saint-Germain Women Team News
For our opponents, Paulina Dudek remains out with a long-term injury. PSG is set to be without Oriane Jean-Francois after coming off in the 17th minute against United in the first leg. Marie Antoinette-Katoto is likely to be on the bench after she made her first start on Sunday since recovering from an ACL injury. Tabitha Chawinga is expected to lead the attacking line.
Form Guide
Manchester United Women Champions League form: D
Manchester United Women form (all competitions): WWWDDD
Paris Saint-Germain Women Champions League form: D
Paris Saint-Germain Women form (all competitions): LWLWD
Prediction
United will take confidence from their second-half display in the first leg and are hoping to reach the group stage for the first time. PSG will be drawing on all their European experience and look to be a constant threat in the attack.
Paris Saint-Germain 1-2 Manchester United Women (Manchester United Women to win 3-2 on aggregate)
