Manchester United have two Champions League games left in Group H and know avoiding defeat in just one of them will be enough to see them qualify for the knockout stages.
Things are never so simple in football though and in the first of the clashes they must face Paris Saint-Germain at Old Trafford.
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It’s never easy welcoming a team who can call on Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to your own gaff, but, having beaten PSG 2-1 in Paris, the Red Devils will certainly have some confidence going into the match.
Meanwhile, their 3-2 comeback win over Southampton shows just how resilient they are, bouncing back every time they are dealt a blow.
Edinson Cavani was on a high post-game given his key role in the win having come on at half-time in the match.
Afterwards, though, he landed himself in hot water for the use of an offensive word on Instagram.
Replying to a message of congratulations, which has now been deleted, Cavani wrote in Spanish: ‘Gracias negrito’.
In a statement, he apologised for any offence caused: “The message I posted after the game on Sunday was intended as an affectionate greeting to a friend, thanking him for his congratulations after the game.
“The last thing I wanted to do was cause offence to anyone. I am completely opposed to racism and deleted the message as soon as it was explained that it can be interpreted differently. I would like to sincerely apologise for this.”
A statement from Manchester United added: “It is clear to us that there was absolutely no malicious intent behind Edinson’s message and he deleted it as soon as he was informed that it could be misconstrued.
“Edinson has issued an apology for any unintentional offence caused. Manchester United and all of our players are fully committed to the fight against racism.”
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But manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes he will be ready to pick up where he left off and could start against his old club.
“Edinson is ready to play,” Solskjaer said as United look to follow-up their 2-1 win at the Parc des Princes with another positive result.
“Of course it’s special for him to play against PSG, his old club where he’s the top scorer, so that’ll affect him mentally.
“But from knowing him, I know that’ll give him energy and he’ll be ready.
“He’s so professional, experienced. Of course he’ll will work on his mindset (on Tuesday and Wednesday) to be ready for the game, which the same goes to the FA (investigation).
“He’s learnt a lesson and it might affect him, but he’ll just have to put it to one side when the game’s on.
“The best players they can put their problems or the other thoughts away for a while and then perform when he has to.”
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Manchester United team news
Solskjaer has no injury headaches to worry about going into the Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Red Devils boss says “everyone’s held their hands up and is available for selection” for the Group H encounter, including David De Gea and Alex Telles who came off with knocks at Southampton.
Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay are available after missing Sunday’s trip to St Mary’s, while Luke Shaw could make his return from a hamstring complaint.
Phil Jones is the only injured player but would not be able to play in any case, having been left out of the Champions League squad along with Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo.
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Predicted Manchester United line-up
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