Manchester United Predicted XI: We predict Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting line-up in Champions League opener against Paris Saint-Germain

The Champions League returns this week and the opening night delivers a mouth-watering fixture as Manchester United travel to take on Paris Saint-Germain.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are back in Europe’s elite competition after missing out last term but face a tough first test away to last season’s finalists.

However, the Norwegian boss will have fond memories of the Parc des Princes after his team came from 2-0 down to win 3-1 in Paris in 2019 to take them through to the quarter finals.

The Red Devils will also be buoyed by their 4-1 victory at Newcastle United on Saturday which will have made them feel a whole lot better following the 6-1 thrashing by Spurs prior to the international break.

With the fixtures coming thick and fast at the moment, Solskjaer will be forced to shuffle his squad at times.

So which players will he task with getting a positive result in the French capital?

Here we predict the United manager’s starting XI…

Goalkeeper: David de Gea put in a solid display at Newcastle on Saturday, making the kind of world-class save from Callum Wilson which we have associated with the Spaniard since recent times. The Spaniard is the Red Devils’ undisputed first-choice and will start once again in Paris.

Defenders: United’s back four were nothing short of disastrous at home to Tottenham but showed character in a much better performance at Newcastle. Aaron Wan-Bissaka kept his recent critics quiet with a first United goal and a better defensive display which should see him start once more. Harry Maguire also got on the scoresheet but the club captain has been left at home for this one. This means Victor Lindelof will start again but, with Eric Bailly injured, Scott McTominay or Axel Tuanzebe could start at the heart of defence. On the left, Alex Telles could make his debut in place of Luke Shaw.

Midfielders: Scott McTominay and Fred performed well against Newcastle but Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic are expected to return to the XI for this Champions League clash. Ahead of the Frenchman and Serbian, Bruno Fernandes will again be tasked with creating opportunities from the middle of the park.

Forwards: Marcus Rashford had an exceptional game at Newcastle, winning a penalty, assisting two and scoring himself. That was from a centre-forward position but, with Anthony Martial available again, the England international is expected to move back to the left in order to accommodate the Frenchman. Edinson Cavani (fitness) is still not ready to make his debut and has been left in Manchester, while Mason Greenwood (unspecified injury) is still out. This means Juan Mata, who also impressed against the Magpies, should keep his place on the right ahead of Dan James.

Predicted XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, McTominay, Lindelof, Telles; Matic, Pogba, Fernandes; Mata, Rashford, Martial.