PSG reveal key midfielder is an injury doubt for Man Utd clash

Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed that midfielder Marco Verratti has sustained a twisted ankle, meaning he is a potential injury doubt for the club’s Champions League tie against Manchester United.

The Italian managed just 19 minutes in PSG’s 9-0 thrashing of Guingamp at the weekend before having to be helped off the pitch by team-mates following a collision with Felix Eboa Eboa.

Will Verratti miss the Man Utd games? Four key things to know…

1. PSG tightened their grips on Ligue 1 with a 9-0 win over Guingamp at the weekend.
2. The win was dampened by Verratti having to go off after just 19 minutes with an ankle injury.
3. The club have since confirmed the Italian suffered a twisted ankle but it is unclear how long his absence will be until further tests are conducted.
4. PSG travel to England to face Manchester United in their Champions League last-16 first leg on February 12.

PSG’s win saw them move 13 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with two games in hand on second-placed Lille.

But Verratti’s injury put a dampener on the rout, with the club releasing a statement confirming the extent of the injury: “Marco Verratti’s MRI scan conducted after the match against Guingamp confirmed a twisted left ankle without any further damage.

“The evolution of the injury over the coming days with treatment and further examinations will allow the club to establish how long the player will need to fully recover.”

PSG manager Thomas Tuchel went on to call Verratti’s injury as the worst thing that could happen to the club given the Italian’s value to the French side’s midfield.

He told reporters (via Sky Sports): “I think that it is serious. Really, it is the worst thing that could have happened to us.”

“We have several options in midfield – Marco with Marquinhos, Dani [Alves] with Marco, Dani with Julian [Draxler], or Dani with Marquinhos. However, without Marco, and with Presnel [Kimpembe] still injured, we only have one choice.”

How much will PSG miss Verratti?

The diminutive midfield destroyer has been up to his usual tricks for PSG this season, helping Tuchel’s side continue to dominate Ligue 1.

Verratti has played 14 times so far in the league after missing the beginning of the season due to injury, with 12 starts and two substitute appearances.

The Italian has averaged 86.1 passes per 90 minutes in Ligue 1 with a pass accuracy of 89.9%, while also completing 2.7 tackles per 90.

Among PSG’s midfield starters this is only bettered by Adrien Rabiot, who has three tackles per 90, but the Frenchman has not featured in the club’s past three games after being “indefinitely benched” amid disputes over his future.

The post PSG issue Marco Verratti injury update amid midfield worries appeared first on Squawka News.

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