Paris Saint-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel has conceded Neymar is a major doubt for their upcoming Champions League clash against Manchester United.
The Parisians will lock horns with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men in the Champions League round of 16 next month, but Neymar is set to miss out.
How likely is Neymar to feature? Four key things to know…
- Neymar suffered a foot injury and left the pitch in tears during PSG’s 2-0 win against Strasbourg in the Coupe de France last week.
- The injury was a recurrence of the metatarsal injury which kept him sidelined for four months last season.
- Scans have shown a fracture line on Neymar’s fifth metatarsal, which he had an operation on last year.
- Neymar is now unlikely to feature in the first-leg on February 12, with Tuchel stating it will be “difficult” for him to return so soon.
The Brazilian sensation suffered a heavy challenge from Strasbourg’s Moataz Zemzemi in the Coupe de France last Wednesday after he flamboyantly flicked the ball over the teenager’s head.
After the match, Strasbourg midfielder Anthony Goncalves told Neymar not to go “blubbering” after leaving the pitch in tears, and now the 26-year-old is a considerable doubt to make the trip to Old Trafford.
“It’s going to be very difficult, that is clear,” the PSG coach told reporters (via the Telegraph) following Sunday night’s win.
“I do not have confirmation of a new diagnosis.
“As I explained yesterday (Saturday), it’s too early to talk about a return date.
“We have to wait for the first week, which is very important, and its reaction to treatment. Only after that can we be more precise, but it’s going to be very difficult (for the United match). It is not a secret.”
PSG midfield reinforcements
With the January transfer window edging ever closer to its conclusion on Thursday night, PSG have been in hot pursuit of midfield signings.
Tuchel was forced to deploy a midfield double-pivot of Dani Alves and Marquinhos during the club’s 4-1 victory against Rennes on Sunday.
With Marco Verratti sidelined through injury and wantaway midfielder Adrien Rabiot banished from first-team involvement following friction over his contract, Tuchel has now added to his options in the form of Leandro Paredes.
Another player linked with a move to the French capital is Everton’s Idrissa Gueye, though manager Marco Silva has already revealed that the Toffees have rejected the French club’s advances.
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