Luis Enrique has highlighted the “quality” and “mentality” of his academy prospects as the Paris Saint-Germain coach prepares for a second friendly without many of his senior players when the Champions League holders meet Manchester United in Gothenburg.
PSG lost 3-0 at Mallorca on Wednesday and Luis Enrique called the first half against the Spanish side “interesting”.
“It’s difficult to make a fair assessment,” added the Spaniard. “It’s not the result we would have liked, but that’s football.
“When you play against Paris Saint-Germain, it’s a source of motivation for every team. That’s only natural.
“It’s our first week of pre-season… it’s to be expected. We’re waiting for our international players to return before we can really see what our team looks like.”
Bryan Mbeumo scored both of United’s goals as Michael Carrick’s side recovered from conceding early to beat 2-1 Atletico de Madrid at Stockholm’s Strawberry Arena on Saturday.
Having guided his side back to the Champions League for the first time since 2023/24, Carrick believes his squad’s “spirit and camaraderie” are among the “good signs” he has seen during pre-season.
“It is such a great group to work with in terms of the spirit to work with each other, [to let] us help them and guide them,” Carrick told MUTV.
“We had six-and-a-half weeks away from the players, so it’s a long time compared to what I am used to.
“We are enjoying work and I am looking forward to the season. It’s great to see the boys getting on so naturally and enjoying each other’s company.”
Man United v PSG team news
Midfielder Youri Tielemans could make his first appearance for United since arriving for £35 million from Aston Villa in July.
Bruno Fernandes could return as captain following a hamstring injury but Senne Lammens and Matheus Cunha are ill.
France playmaker Maghnes Akliouche will not feature yet for PSG, having joined for £42.8m from Monaco on Thursday.
PSG remain without many of their first-choice players who took part in the World Cup 2026 but Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha and Joao Neves could travel.
Youngsters Adam Ayari, Paul Bourdin, Younes Idder and Axel Koukaba have been involved in training, L’Equipe reported.
Manchester United v PSG predicted line-ups
Manchester United starting XI: Tom Heaton, Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Amad Diallo, Andrey Santos, Patrick Dorgu, Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo
PSG starting XI: Matvei Safonov, David Boly, Illia Zabarnyi, Axel Koukaba, Dimitri Lucea, Paul Bourdin, Lucas Beraldo, Senny Mayulu, Dro Fernandez, Quentin Ndjantou, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Where to watch Man United v PSG: TV and online streams
Kick-off on Saturday is at 16:00 BST (11:00 ET / 08:00 PT). Live coverage in the UK is on MUTV, which costs £29.99 a year.
Manchester United v PSG stats
- All four of these teams’ competitive meetings have come in the Champions League, trading two away wins each
- The game is at the Ullevi stadium, where Zlatan Ibrahimovic took four minutes to score his first United goal following the striker’s arrival from PSG in 2016, helping his new club beat Galatasaray 5-2 in a contest also containing two goals by Red Devils all-time top scorer Wayne Rooney
- Bruno Fernandes and Rashford scored in a 2-1 United win during the group stage in 2020, with PSG gaining revenge that December with the help of two Neymar goals and one by Marquinhos
- United’s competitive record against French clubs is W17 D11 L4, with PSG the only such opponents to beat them since 2005
- They last played a friendly against a French team in August 2023, beating Lens 3-1 at home through goals from Rashford, Antony and Casemiro
- Paris won 2-0 at United in the last 16 in 2019, followed by a 3-1 win for the Red Devils in the return match to go through on the now-defunct away goals rule courtesy of Marcus Rashford’s 94th-minute penalty
- PSG’s competitive record against English teams is W20 D12 L15, remaining unbeaten in 10 such matches since a 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2025, advancing from the tie despite the second-leg result
- They beat Arsenal in the Champions League final in May following a 1-1 draw in Budapest, having defeated Liverpool and Chelsea home and away during the knockout stage
- Vitinha scored a hat-trick in a 5-3 home win over English team Tottenham during the league phase, which they concluded with a 1-1 draw at Newcastle
- The victory over the Gunners extended their unbeaten run against English teams away from home soil to four matches, having beaten Liverpool and Chelsea earlier in the campaign and won at Arsenal in the 2024/25 Champions League semi-finals
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored four goals for PSG against English clubs last season, netting three times against Chelsea and once against Liverpool
Man United v PSG prediction
Man United 3-1 PSG
With PSG’s squad depleted and inexperienced, United can take advantage of being further along the course of pre-season to record another win.
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