Paris-Saint Germain manager Thomas Tuchel has praised Manchester United attacker Marcus Rashford ahead of his side’s important Champions League clash on Wednesday night.
Rashford, 23, has broken Parisian hearts on more than one occasion after his last-gasp penalty during the 2018-19 season saw the Ligue 1 giants crash out of Europe’s top-flight at the last 16 stage.
More recently though, United’s number-10 sunk Tuchel’s star-studded vessel once again after another late winner saw the Reds beat Neymar Jnr and co. 2-1 in Group H’s opening fixture in October.
The two European footballing giants are set to collide again tomorrow night in the Champions League group stage’s reverse fixture with the pressure firmly mounted on Tuchel’s shoulders.
United come into Wednesday’s game leading their Group on nine points, Paris-Saint Germain, on the other hand, will feel they can settle for nothing less than all three points as they sit precariously in second place, joint on six points with RB Leipzig.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s match, Tuchel has praised Rashford but admitted that the 23-year-old’s relentless late heroics on the Parisian’s stomping ground are ‘getting annoying’.
“We value him very much when he plays in England and not Parc des Princes, honestly, because [him scoring against us] gets a little bit annoying,” Tuchel told reporters at Old Trafford, as per ManUtd.com.
“The guy is a very young adult who takes his responsibility on and off the pitch very impressively. I have met him as an opponent three times and every time I’ve met a calm and humble guy and a nice person, which is amazing. I like this mixture a lot.
“For me personally, the sporting side is clear – he’s a big threat with his speed, with his ability to score, with his determination and his finishing. He’s very precise, taking shots inside and outside of the box. He is super rapid on counter-attacks and strong in the air with headers.
“He’s had a big impact and it’s nice to see guys like him from the Academy having such a big impact in a big, big club like United.”
Speaking about the importance tomorrow night’s game has, Tuchel said: “It’s a bit like the game against Leipzig: it’s a final, as it were.
“A final against RB Leipzig, a final here against Manchester United at Old Trafford as well. It’s a game we need to win to qualify from the group.
“We’re not here to make excuses. It’s up to us to show the very best we can possibly show and to win.
“It’s a huge challenge to win at Old Trafford against Manchester United. They have a really strong team, we know that.”
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