Manchester United vs PSG: Rio Ferdinand says defeat was a ‘reality check’ for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

United suffered their first defeat under the caretaker manager in the Champions League last-16 tie

Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat by PSG on Tuesday served as a “reality check” after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer suffered the first defeat of his Old Trafford reign.

After a positive start to the last-16 Champions League first-leg, goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe tilted the tie heavily in the French champion’s favour.

Paul Pogba was then sent off for a second yellow card in the final stages of the match, meaning United’s talisman will miss the reverse fixture at the Parc des Princes in three weeks time.

After the full-time whistle, Ferdinand said: “I think this is a reality check for this Man United team, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing, I think it’s something that they are going to have to learn from and now we’ll see their reaction to it.

“I’m sure in his tenure this would be a part he’d be preparing for then it’s how they prepare and react to this defeat.

“We knew it was going to come at some point, he’s been on a phenomenal run. he’s rejuvenated this place, given it a bit of belief. Today it was a level up and we saw the difference in the Champions League with the Premier League tonight.”

The former United centre-back also claimed he was disappointed that United failed to find the free-scoring rhythm which has seen them climb into fourth position in the Premier League.

United suffered their first defeat under Solskjaer (Getty) (Man Utd via Getty Images)

“Tonight, they didn’t get going as an attacking force at all. We’ve seen some great attacking play in this team over the last few weeks, today we didn’t see any examples of that,” Solskjaer continued.

“PSG without two of their best attacking players coasted second half and really put the game to bed and I think the tie too.”