It was an old failing that got Manchester United in the second half. PSG scored from a set piece and what proved to be the turning point of the game looked a little too easy. 

That is the kind of thing that used to happen under the old manager.

So PSG will take that away goal back and indeed one more to Paris knowing that they have secured something valuable and if it was all part of the plan – had they identified a definite weakness beforehand – then maybe that was to be expected. 

Manchester United remain a team with flaws in it despite the work of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

They remain uncertain across the back and against a very good side that was brutally exposed

United are a team with flaws in it and here they were, exposed brutally and efficiently during a 20 minute spell of second half football from the French champions that reminded us just how far the Old Trafford rebuild still has to go.

What Ole Gunnar Solakjaer has done in his eight weeks back in Manchester has reintroduce spirit and purpose and bring some kind of clarity of vision to United’s football.

It has been enough to move his team back in to the top four of the Premier League but it has done nothing – how could it? – to repair some basic weaknesses of personnel. 

That will have to wait until the next transfer window and will no doubt extend in to two or three beyond that as well.

United, for example, remain uncertain across the back. They do not defend corner and free-kicks very well and against a very good side – a side that came to Old Trafford with the courage to play on the front foot – that was made very clear.

PSG won the game and in all likelihood the tie in that spell at the start of the second half. They scored twice and could have scored five. 

During a 20-minute spell the French champions scored twice and it could have been more

During that period United could not cope with the directness and pace of Kylian Mbappe

It was a devastating spell of handbrake-off football and spoke of the difference in quality between the two teams.

While United have been thrashing about wildly in the transfer market since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson – buying players with all the strategy and calm of a schoolyard Panini sticker collector – PSG have been relentlessly stockpiling real talent. 

It has been an expensive project but here we saw the fruits of all that investment as PSG finally produced a performance of note on English soil.

Back in the autumn, the French champions were blown away by the ferocity of Liverpool’s intense high press in a group game at Anfield. When Jurgen Klopp’s team pounded on their doors, they gave way.

Here, United began with similar energy and ambition and for a while it was impressive. Gone was the cautious European mindset of Jose Mourinho’s United and here in its stead was an altogether more aggressive and confident approach. 

United were the home team and at last they did their best to resemble one.

Nor indeed could United deal with the intelligence and trickery of Angel Di Maria

Once Jesse Lingard (pictured) and Anthony Martial had gone so had a vital part of the plan

But what we cannot avoid is that for all their intent and possession and occasional speed on the counter, United didn’t really create a proper chance. 

They didn’t really fashion one all night and when injuries forced Solskjaer in to a reshuffle at half-time the whole nature of the game changed.

Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial had been an integral part of what United had done in the opening period, playing high on the PSG back four.

At times they helped to spread a little panic. Twice, for example, PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon played the ball straight out of play under penalty box pressure from red shirts.

But neither Lingard or Martial were available for the second half and their replacements Juan Mata and Alexis Sanchez were never going to replicate their energetic menace and maybe this represented Solskjaer’s first misstep as United manager.

With two key players gone, maybe the 45-year-old needed to find another way for his team to play. Maybe it was time to try and close the game down, remove its ebb and flow. 

This was a night for the United faithful to reflect on with disappointment but not dismay

Instead, United simply began to concede possession and then territory and with a sniff of ascendency in their nostrils, PSG rolled all over them.

The Italian midfielder Marco Verratti was PSG’s best player but Kylian Mbappe scored his team’s second goal and was terrific also. The young French forward is seriously quick but intelligent too.

The timing of his acceleration on to a low cross to score from six yards looked simple but was not. 

Mbappe served notice of his burgeoning talents during the World Cup and it would appear his development is now entering its next phase.

So too maybe is that of PSG, at least in terms of their European story. Last year’s Champions League campaign was ended at this stage by Real Madrid, the year before it was embarrassment, a 6-1 defeat at Barcelona.

If they complete this job, it will feel significant. Defeat for United would be equally instructive, just in a different way.

Manchester United fans fume after Presnel Kimpembe escapes red card to score PSG’s opening goal while Roma ultras hit back at Aleksandar Kolarov with ‘BASTARDO’ banner

By

Robert Summerscales For Mailonline

Published:
17:41 EST, 12 February 2019

|
Updated:
17:42 EST, 12 February 2019

Manchester United‘s unbeaten record under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came to an abrupt end on Tuesday night as PSG won 2-0 at Old Trafford.

Second-half goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe gave the Paris giants a huge advantage over United in their two-legged Champions League last 16 tie. 

United will without star man Paul Pogba for the second leg next month after he was sent off late on for picking up two yellow cards.

PSG No 7 Kylian Mbappe scored a crucial second goal in Tuesday’s 2-0 win at Old Trafford

Solskjaer oversees record-breaking defeat

This was United’s heaviest ever Old Trafford defeat in a continental competition.

Prior to Tuesday night, United had never lost a home European match by more than one goal.

The result also means that David Moyes remains the only United manager to win a Champions League match beyond the group phase since the 2010-11 season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw United suffer their heaviest ever defeat at home in a European game

Fans fume at ‘lucky’ Kimpembe

United fans vented their fury on Twitter moments after Kimpembe volleyed PSG ahead.

Multiple tweeters were adamant that Kimpembe should have earlier been sent off.

Kimpembe was shown a yellow card during the first half for a foul on Marcus Rashford, but he escaped a second booking after felling the striker again. 

Presnel Kimpembe volleyed PSG ahead after 53 minutes of play at Old Trafford on Tuesday

He was booked for a foul on Marcus Rashford and could have got a second yellow for another

Kimpembe should be off so of course he scores ffs

— Andrew Gerges (@AndrewGerges7) February 12, 2019

Wow. Kimpembe should’ve been sent off in the first half as well. Referee ruined this game

— DILLINGER 👹 (@DillanMUFC) February 12, 2019

Kimpembe should be been sent off but now he scores. What a bottle job the referee is.

— Hesham Bilal-Hafiz (@hesham786) February 12, 2019

How has Pogba been sent off but not Kimpembe? Where’s the consistency…

— Stephen Howson 🇾🇪 (@MrStephenHowson) February 12, 2019

Roma ultras unveil Kolarov ‘BASTARDO’ banner 

Edin Dzeko provided two assists as Roma beat Porto but it was another former Manchester City player who was targetted by fans.

Aleksandar Kolarov clearly offended many of the club’s supporters recently when, in response to critism after a loss, he said that they ‘know nothing about football’.

The club’s ultras have not yet forgiven the left back and unveiled a giant banner which read: ‘BASTARDO KOLAROV!

Roma’s ultras unveiled a banner at the Stadio Olimpico with the words: ‘BASTARDO KOLAROV!’

Aleksandar Kolarov angered fans recently by claiming that they ‘know nothing about football’

Angel booed by Red Devils before kick-off

Angel di Maria set up PSG’s opening goal and responded by launching a foul-mouthed tirade of abuse into the crowd.

Di Maria appeared to be reacting to those who had jeered him earlier in the game.

But the boo boys started early, with former United winger Di Maria targeted as soon as he got off the team bus on Tuesday night. 

Di Maria shows his bottle

In between PSG’s goals, a bottle was thrown at Di Maria who responded with humour.

Di Maria pretended to take a swig from the glass bottle before discarding it.

He then made his point with his feet by claiming a second assist of the night to set up Mbappe for goal No 2. 

A bottle of beer was thrown at PSG star Angel di Maria during the second half at Old Trafford

Winger Di Maria pretended to take a swig from the alcoholic missile before discarding of it

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Joe Root could captain England until he is 40 and never emerge with as much credit as he will receive here after an emphatic victory where he has salvaged pride for his side and done wonders for cricket’s all too often tarnished image.

It will be the 232-run final Test win, completed within four days on Tuesday, and his 16th Test century that did so much to set it up, Root will want to concentrate on at the end of a series England lost in seven horrific days in Barbados and Antigua.

Yet for the cricket world and all those outside it who flocked to praise Root it will be his spontaneous response to what were clearly inappropriate comments from Shannon Gabriel on the third evening that will be a big part of the England captain’s legacy. 

West Indies celebrate their series victory despite a heavy 232-run defeat in the third Test 

Joe Root shakes hands with Shannon Gabriel after England confirmed their victory

Ben Stokes took the final two wickets as England finally saw off the West Indies tail on day four

Moeen Ali celebrates with Jimmy Anderson after taking three wickets on day four

Roston Chase takes the applause of the crowd after reaching a defiant century on day four

England celebrate the wicket of Shane Dowrich, caught by Ben Stokes in his armpit

The ICC have for once shown decisive leadership by charging Gabriel but it does not reflect well that their inclination at the end of the third day appeared to be to brush the whole sorry business under the carpet.

It was only when St Lucia woke up to widespread praise for Root and condemnation for the intrusion of homophobia into Test cricket that the umpires and the match referee seemed to wake up to the need to handle this unsavoury incident with the seriousness it deserved.

And let us get one thing clear. There is no excuse for Gabriel to use a term that rightly has no place in modern language.

This cannot be put down to cultural differences nor the unacceptable reality that homosexuality is still illegal in St Lucia and other parts of the Caribbean.

That only increases the need for West Indian cricketers, who play all around the world, to be aware of their wider responsibilities as role models. 

Jonny Bairstow removes the bails and the stumps as Shimron Hetmyer is run out after lunch

Mark Wood celebrates after taking his sixth wicket of the match as England marched to victory

Jimmy Anderson ripped through the West Indies top order with three wickets before lunch

All of which should not concern Root. He has handled himself impeccably and done more than his bit to portray cricket in the best possible light here as well as guide his side to a hugely important consolation win.

This was how this series was meant to be when England arrived in the Caribbean fresh from their historic triumph in Sri Lanka and looking to start their biggest year in memory with another away win against supposedly inferior opposition.

That it took England until the third Test to get the right balance to their side, the correct tempo to their batting and the right personnel in their attack is a huge frustration but they are back on track now for the bigger battles ahead.

England almost have their Ashes team in place. For all the uncertainty over what seemed a confused selection for this Test, mainly the recall of Keaton Jennings, they have returned to basics, as Nasser Hussain urged them to do, and put round pegs into round holes.

An attack of Jimmy Anderson, back to his inimitable best with a three-wicket burst yesterday after Root had declared with a massive lead of 484, Stuart Broad, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes and a rejuvenated Mark Wood (or, fitness permitting, Chris Woakes) with Jack leach in reserve should the pitches turn will be more than good enough to bowl Australia out twice in English conditions.

And there is enough batting power in Root, Jos Buttler, Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Moeen at four, five, six, seven and eight to put runs on the board and, ideally, bat responsibly enough to stop the extreme collapses that still dog them.

It is just the top three, then, that needs to be sorted and it is there England still have real problems. 

A personal preference would be for the captain to move up to three, Bairstow to four and the gloves back in the hands of the world-class keeper-batsman in Ben Foakes at seven.

At least that would bring the search down to the openers – Rory Burns has one foot in place but still needs to do more. – even though Bairstow would again be moved away from his favourite position. 

Ben Stokes added some quick runs in the morning as England pushed towards a declaration

Yes, he has kept outstandingly here and has the ability to be England’s modern Matt Prior but needs must and Foakes is too good to leave out.

For now England will be relieved by this commanding performance in Trevor Bayliss’s last away Test as coach, Anderson proving the pick of the attack and Moeen going past Tony Lock into fourth place in England’s hall of Test spinning fame with three wickets of his own.

Only Roston Chase, with some hearty hitting in his unbeaten century, held up England and lifted them from 110 for six to 252 before Stokes had the final word in dismissing the injured Keemo Paul.

This has been a disappointment for West Indies but they did enough in the first two Tests to suggest this should be more than another false Caribbean Test dawn. 

They have to do their bit to make sure the Trinidadian Gabriel, who was booed when he came on to bowl and then serenaded with YMCA by the Barmy Army when he came in to bat, sees the error of his ways but this has been a momentous series for them.

Now, too, it has been a momentous end to the series for the statesman of sport that Joe Root has become.

Fifty four days. It had to happen eventually. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has lost a game as Manchester United manager.

There won’t feel like a bright side to look on, given the magnitude of this competition, but at least Solskjaer didn’t lose to mugs. This wasn’t an upset, this wasn’t a travesty. What is inescapable after a performance of this magnitude is that PSG are one of the finest sides in Europe, even without Neymar and Edinson Cavani. 

They were by far the better team on the night and, playing like this, could grow to be European champions. They were not flattered by the scoreline at all; if anything, it could have been more.

Kylian Mbappe opened his body up to slide a finish past David de Gea and double PSG’s advantage in the tie

The deadly forward timed his run to perfection and showed brilliant composure to slot the finish home 

Presnel Kimpembe broke the deadlock with a well controlled volleyed finish into the roof of de Gea’s net 

The PSG centre-back scored the first goal of his PSG career at a particularly opportune moment in the tie 

Manchester United were undone by an excellent team display, plus the individual excellence of two players in particular. Kylian Mbappe’s pace and goalscoring smarts make him the best young striker in the world right now, while Angel Di Maria was on a revenge mission, desperate to show Old Trafford what they had missed in his brief time here. He did, too, making both goals. His celebrations suggested he enjoyed proving the point, too.

Both goals came in the second-half, PSG having also had the best chance of the first. Injury left Solskjaer reshaping United’s forward line but it was at the back that they were undone: poor marking for the first, a mismatch of a foot race for the second. PSG dispatched them in a six-minute spell. The tie is not over, but United have a mountain to climb now.

The opening goal came from a right-sided corner, after De Gea had tipped round a Mbappe header from a Dani Alves cross. Di Maria curled it in and defender Presnel Kimpembe got in behind Nemanja Matic to volley the ball past De Gea from close range. Whether he should have been on the field having committed several fouls having been the game’s first booking is another matter.

That controversy was put to bed, however, by the second. A sublime cross from Di Maria was executed perfectly by Mbappe, opening his body to sidefoot the ball first time past De Gea.

He should have had another immediately after, too, again put through by Di Maria and outstripping Victor Lindelof before De Gea made a fine save, as the striker attempted a Messi-style low lob. By the end Old Trafford was silent bar the raucous noise of the visitors. It had been a sobering experience. Not a stain on Solskjaer’s reign – just a reminder that while they have a come a long way in 54 days, there is still some distance to travel.  

Short-term, at least, it will have to be travelled without Paul Pogba, who capped a miserable night with a second yellow card for a nasty foul on Julian Draxler, even if it appeared referee Daniele Orsato had first dismissed Ashley Young in error. It wouldn’t surprise. He wasn’t very good. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer watched his side lose momentum and then concede twice in the space of ten minutes

Angel di Maria whipped in the delivery and Kimpembe lost his marker to convert with aplomb at the back post 

Thiago Silva (left) wheeled away in celebration after Kimpembe gave PSG a crucial away goal to take with them 

Di Maria seemed to love rubbing it in to the Manchester United fans who had given him a hard time all game 

Much like Manchester United, referee Daniele Orsato started off guns blazing and then lost his way in little; in as much as he booked five players in quick succession, and then lacked the gumption to upgrade to red when the situation demanded. Ashley Young, for one, can count himself very lucky indeed.

He was booked, rightly, for a foul on Kylian Mbappe after 29 minutes, when the young striker looked to have turned him inside out. 

Then, 11 minutes later, he committed a second offence that while not regarded as serious, could have resulted in significant injury. 

Pushing is one of football’s minor offences – but not when it is an overt shove in the back of a player already travelling at high speed, on a pitch with a notoriously steep run off perimeter and hoarding and metal fences in close proximity to the playing area.

The ball was as good as dead when Young too this liberty with Angel Di Maria, who was sent cascading into a barrier, unable to slow or properly protect himself. 

He could have broken an arm, or several ribs; he could have smashed his face in, fractured his skull. Young had absolutely no control over the consequence of his action. He should have gone. 

Mbappe had the best opportunity of the first half but fired his effort into the side-netting after lunging for the ball

Di Maria’s effort from just outside the box caught the attention of David de Gea but was easily kept out by the Spaniard

The first 45 minutes featured a number of flashpoints and the referee Daniele Orsato struggled to control the game

The players clashed after Ashley Young gave Di Maria an unnecessary shove off the pitch into the advertising boards 

Manchester United suffered an injury blow as Jesse Lingard pulled up and came off for Alexis Sanchez

Instead, Orsata chickened out. Maybe he would have shown a yellow card in different circumstances, but with Young booked either he misjudged the potential seriousness of the incident, or confidence failed him. No further action was taken, despite PSG’s angry protests. 

They had a point, too – just as Manchester United’s players did when Presnel Kimpembe, having already been booked, committed a second offence that was equally reprehensible but, for reasons unknown, was not deemed worthy of a second card.

Not that the game needed two red cards to calm it down. It really didn’t merit five yellows before half-time, either. It was ferocious, hotly contested, but not dirty or foul tempered. 

It was fast, though, with United in particular starting off at a furious lick, clearly under instruction to unnerve PSG with a very English high tempo. Either that of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had taken an unlikely interest in the tactics of England’s rugby union team, under Eddie Jones.

Not that it yielded a great deal. United didn’t really have a clear shot at goal in the opening 45 minutes, their best chances coming from two crosses, even if one did end up goalbound. 

Anthony Martial was also forced to come off with an injury and Juan Mata came on to replace the Frenchman 

Paul Pogba showed flashes of the brilliance that has typified his performances under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Solskjaer appealed for more from his players after PSG caught them cod at the beginning of the second half 

Dani Alves had a free kick in dangerous territory but smashed his shot well over the bar at the end of the first half

That was in the eighth minute when Young worked the ball through to Marcus Rashford and he hit a cross-shot, slightly skewed and testing Gianluigi Buffon at the near post. Soon after, wonderful work from Paul Pogba on the right saw him burst into the area, hitting a low cross into the six yard area, which Buffon collected to prevent a tap-in conversion.

The best of the early chances, then, fell to PSG and could easily have seen them leading at half-time. In the sixth minute, Marco Verratti – and what a difference it was that he was fit – found Di Maria some 25 yards out, and his shot passed too close for comfort, with David De Gea reaching. Then, in the 28th minute, the visitors should have taken the lead.

It was a lovely move, involving Verratti, as always, who picked out Julian Draxler. He put Mbappe through one on one and only the speed of De Gea off his line disturbed the striker as he sized up the goal. Mbappe panicked and shot wide, United survived. 

The combativeness of the game, however was taking its toll. Jesse Lingard was taken off injured shortly before half-time, replaced by Alexis Sanchez and Anthony Martial did not appear for the second-half. 

Juan Mata on in his place. This was the squad Jose Mourinho thought lacked depth, do not forget, although a blunted Manchester United were quickly made to pay in the second-half. 

Thomas Tuchel cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines as he saw his PSG team spurn a couple of chances to go ahead

The visiting supporters crammed in early and made themselves heard throughout the game at Old Trafford 

West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel faces two-match ban as he is charged by ICC after he allegedly called Joe Root ‘b**** boy’

• Tensions boiled over in the final Test between England and the West Indies
• Shannon Gabriel and Joe Root were involved in a verbal exchange 
• Footage appeared to show Root saying ‘there’s nothing wrong with being gay’
• West Indies source claims Gabriel called the England captain ‘little boy’ 
• Understood match officials reported no homophobic language detected on mics

By

Richard Gibson For Mailonline

Published:
15:00 EST, 12 February 2019

|
Updated:
16:41 EST, 12 February 2019

Shannon Gabriel faces the prospect of a two-match ban after allegedly using the phrase ‘batty boy’ during his on-field spat with Joe Root in the third Test.

Sportsmail understands that is the term that drew England captain Root’s measured response of ‘don’t use that as an insult, there’s nothing wrong with being gay,’ shortly after lunch on day three of the final Test in St Lucia.

A West Indies source countered that their fast bowler muttered ‘little boy’ during the exchange in the 44th over of the second innings. 

Shannon Gabriel (left) was warned by the umpires for using foul and abusive language

West Indies fast bowler Gabriel was involved in a verbal exchange with Joe Root

Sky Sports footage of the incident showed Root telling Gabriel: ‘Don’t use that as an insult’

Root (right) responded quickly to the abuse, shutting Gabriel down with his reply

The International Cricket Council charged the 30-year-old on Tuesday night with a breach of their code of conduct for alleged homophobic abuse.

‘Shannon Gabriel has been charged with a breach of article 2.13 of the ICC code of conduct,’ read a statement from the world governing body.

‘The charge, which was laid by the match umpires, will now be dealt with by match referee Jeff Crowe. Until the proceedings have concluded, the ICC will not comment further.’

Under the code’s regulations, on-field officials Rod Tucker and Kumar Dharmasena had until 24 hours after the flashpoint took place to take action. 

They initially reported to Crowe at the close of play on Monday that they had dealt with the issue to an acceptable level via a warning for the use of abusive language but reneged on this decision on Monday. 

Gabriel took the wicket of Root early on day four to prompt an England declaration 

It is understood match officials said no homophobic language had been caught by stump mics

Gabriel was met by a chorus of YMCA from the Barmy Army when he came out to bat

Root and Gabriel shook hands after England confirmed their victory at the end of day four

Gabriel already has three demerit points to his name and with the charge carrying between four and seven points, he would miss the equivalent of two Tests or four one-day or Twenty20 internationals if found guilty. 

Each set of four demerit points is the equivalent to one Test or two ODIs.

One of the problems prior to the charge being laid was that although Root’s words were captured on the stump microphones, those of Gabriel were not. 

Windies insiders have also pointed to the fact that the 30-year-old Gabriel’s words are indistinguishable at the best of times due to his tendency to mumble. 

Root refused to confirm what was said by Gabriel at the end of play on day three

Root’s response has been praised by the director of sport for the charity Stonewall 

Following England’s 232-run win, Root said: ‘The ICC have got to handle things and I am not in a position to comment but throughout the series it has been played in the right manner between the two sides. 

‘West Indies have played some fantastic cricket, they are a good bunch of guys and it would be a shame if it tarnishes what has been a good, hard-fought series.

‘As a player you feel you have responsibilities to uphold on the field and I stand by what I did. I just did what I thought was right.’ 

An ECB spokesman said they would not respond to the development until a verdict had been reached.

Former footballer and pundit Ian Wright led the tributes to Root in the wake of the incident

Ex-England cricket captain Nasser Hussain was also quick to lay credit with Root 

Article 2.13 of the ICC’s code ‘is intended to cover a Player or Player Support Personnel directing language of a personal, insulting, obscene and/or offensive nature at any Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire or Match Referee during an International Match. 

‘It is also intended to cover language of a personal, insulting, obscene and/or offensive nature relating to a family member of the Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire or Match Referee at whom it is directed.’

The ICC have a separate anti-racism code that last week resulted in Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed being suspended for four matches for comments made to South Africa’s Andile Phehlukwayo.

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