‘Maybe we will only have 11 players available’: PSG boss Thomas Tuchel facing selection nightmare for Manchester United Champions League clash as he could be missing up to EIGHT first-team stars
- PSG are facing an injury crisis ahead of their clash with Manchester United
- Thomas Tuchel could be without up to eight first-team players next week
- Mauro Icardi, Julian Draxler and Marquinhos have all been sidelined with injury
Thomas Tuchel has given a blunt assessment of Paris Saint-Germain‘s injury crisis ahead of their Champions League clash with Manchester United next week.
The Ligue 1 side could be without up to eight players for the game in Paris with Mauro Icardi, Julian Draxler and Marquinhos all out injured while the club have also been affected by coronavirus.
PSG made the final of the competition last season, falling to Bayern Munich at the last hurdle, but have been drawn in a tough group with United, RB Leipzig and Istanbul Basaksehir.
Thomas Tuchel could be without eight first-team players to face Manchester United next week
Mauro Icardi and Julian Draxler have both been ruled out of the game with different injuries
Tuchel claimed he could have just 11 players fit for the game against United.
‘We have to take responsibility for Neymar and Kylian [Mbappe], who played almost 90 minutes yesterday, and the South Americans who have travelled a lot,’ said the PSG boss.
‘Maybe we will only have 11, 12 or 13 players available.
‘We have a bit of bad luck. Draxler and Marquinhos are doubtful for Manchester too. Colin Dagba had a positive [coronavirus test] with the U21s. In the event of a negative test, he can return to the group.
‘Kehrer is injured for a few weeks. Bernat and Icardi are injured, Icardi, a week ago. It’s the internal ligament in the knee, it’s not too serious but he will miss Nimes and Manchester.’
Tuchel said he may only have 11 players available as he manages returning international stars
Brazilian defender Marquinhos has also been ruled out of the game because of injury
‘Today we have Danilo back, but he has been in contact with Cristiano Ronaldo, so the medical staff wish he did not train with the group,’ said Tuchel. ‘Verratti was injured with Italy, and is in contact with our doctor now.
‘We are missing too many players. It is the challenge now to find a starting XI able to win [against Nimes], because that is the best preparation for Manchester.’
However, Tuchel will have former United midfielder Ander Herrera available after the Spaniard returned to training following a positive Covid-19 test.
Herrera tweeted: ‘After couple of weeks with COVID, I have tested negative today. So happy to be back with the team.’
