PSG could be forced to turn to Stoke flop to lead line against Man Utd
Former Potters' striker Eric Choupo-Moting could play for Paris Saint-Germain against the Red Devils in the Champions League on Tuesday
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN may be forced to start a second-string striker who flopped in the Premier League when they take on Manchester United this week.
The Ligue 1 giants have been hit with a minor injury crisis in the run-up to the Champions League round of 16 match on Tuesday.
And that means Eric Choupo-Moting – the Cameroon striker who endured a painful year at Stoke as The Potters were relegated last season – could be called up to lead their attack.
Yesterday PSG beat Bordeaux 1-0 to increase their lead in the French league to 13 points, but the match caused more selection problems for manager Thomas Tuchel.
Goalscorer Edinson Cavani and right-back Thomas Meunier were forced off with injuries, while midfielder Marco Verratti was withdrawn less than an hour into his return to action after an ankle problem.
As Neymar will be missing due to a foot injury, and with Adrien Rabiot sidelined over a contract issue, the PSG starting XI at Old Trafford could have an unfamiliar look about it.
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Tuchel was quoted as saying: "Without Neymar, without Marco Verratti, and now without Edinson Cavani, we are no longer looking at Plan B, but Plan D."
Choupo-Moting scored both Stoke goals and was named man of the match when they drew 2-2 with United in August 2017 – but that was comfortably the high point of his time in England.
The German-born Cameroon international scored only three more goals last season as The Potters dropped into the Championship.
He joined PSG on a free transfer last summer but has had limited impact for his new team, scoring once in 14 appearances.
He’s now likely to be called on to spearhead the French champions’ attack alongside Kylian Mbappe and former United player Angel Di Maria against the Red Devils.
Julian Draxler and recent signing Leandro Paredes will likely play in central midfield, though Tuchel could change his system to 4-3-3 and use defender Marquinhos as a midfield anchor.
United have no new injury worries after their 3-0 away win at Fulham yesterday. Marcus Rashford, who was an unused substitute, may come back into the side for Tuesday’s match.