OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER insists he is DISAPPOINTED that Paris Saint-Germain stars Neymar and Edinson Cavani will not play in Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 clash.
Neymar is struggling with a foot injury, while Cavani is struggling with a hip problem and neither will play any part in the first leg at least.
While their absence does Manchester United’s chances of progression no harm, interim manager Solskjaer expressed a desire to test himself against the world’s best players and says it might take away from what promises to be a great occasion.
“When you play against the best teams, you want to play against the players,” Solskjaer said. “The crowd want to see the best players. Too bad for Old Trafford.
“I have played a couple of games when we played Real Madrid and Ronaldo and (Luis) Figo and all those were coming to Old Trafford. That gives it an extra edge.
“Unfortunately for Neymar he is injured, but of course he is a quality player.
“I think our right-back thinks it is not too bad he will not be here.”
Solskjaer and United could hardly have hoped for a more difficult draw as they look to progress to the last eight of Europe’s top competition.
However, the ambitious Norwegian can seemingly do no wrong having led United to 10 wins and a draw in his 11 games since taking over from the sacked Jose Mourinho in December.
And he says he has been relishing the prospect of facing the French giants ever since he took the reins at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer watched the draw on television just one day before Mourinho was sacked and he said: “I thought: ‘Wow, what a challenge’.
“Then two or three days later I was in it. Suddenly it’s my challenge, and I can tell you I’ve got goosebumps.
“It’ll be a fantastic night under the floodlights, the fans will be up for it and it will be a new experience for PSG as well.
“They’ve been in England but they haven’t been to Old Trafford, have they?”
The United boss is reportedly on the verge of getting the United job full-time but admits the PSG game might be his biggest test since coming back to the club
“Even without Neymar PSG have some great players, but now I have had 11 games to prepare for them I think I know what my players are capable of,” the former Red Devils striker said.
“This tie will bring out the best in them.”
Source:www.express.co.uk