Ole Gunnar Solskjaer warns Paris Saint-Germain that Manchester United won’t go out quietly

With 11 players out as well as his entire first-choice midfield, as Paul Pogba’s red-card suspension added to 10 injuries, Solskjaer did admit United need a 'good plan'

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer warned Paris Saint-Germain that Manchester United are not a club that “go out easily”, as he said the team’s “hurt pride” from the 2-0 first-leg defeat will fire them as they try to overturn their Champions League last-16 clash.

The Norwegian pointed to the club's own history as well as a series of previously “impossible” comebacks in the competition over the past two years, like how Juventus went 3-0 ahead at Real Madrid, and argued that the first goal can cause “doubt” in the French side.

With 11 players out as well as his entire first-choice midfield, as Paul Pogba’s red-card suspension added to 10 injuries, Solskjaer did admit United need a “good plan”.

“We’ll never approach any game as a lost cause,” the Old Trafford boss said. “We put that pressure on ourselves. Everyone expects us to go out and easily but that doesn't happen with Man United. Our pride was hurt last time we played them so we're gonna see players who give their all. If we get nine or 10 playing to the top standards we've got a chance.

“It's just one of those situations that we come into, lost a few players, we'll cope with that. We'll have a good team, we didn't lose any in the last game.

“It's a difficult task but we can do it. Obviously we need the first goal. That might cause them to start doubting themselves. If there’s half an hour left and only one goal in it, anything can happen but we need a good plan, one that needs to be put in place. And we need to perform on the night because they are a team full of quality.”

Solskjaer naturally appealed to United’s epic history of comebacks in the competition, but also some of the more sensational results of the last few years - like PSG’s own collapse against Barcelona.

“Of course everyone knows we have done it, and results in the Champions League last few years - I don't want to call it strange - but last year Juve lost 3-0 at home to Real Madrid and suddenly were 3-0 up at Madrid after 90 minutes. The year before that we remember those results with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, so there are so many examples of teams who can change results like this.”

With so many injuries, Solskjaer has brought 18-year-old full-back Brandon Williams into the squad. The Norwegian argued United’s youth graduates should be looking to make the same kind of impact as Marcus Rashford did three years ago, coming out of nowhere to change big games.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at his press conference today (AFP/Getty)

“Brandon, a full-back who can play both sides, he's quick, it's the first time he travels with us. He didn’t expect to come, but that's why you're in the academy. We believe in you and suddenly you have to step up that's why we have good coaches to make them ready.

“I think every young player who plays at this club is dreaming of coming on and having an impact like Rashy, they must have the belief to make it and tomorrow night might be a chance for some of the young ones.”