Parc des Princes is home to a fast forward striker aiming to be the best player in the world, but not for the first time Kylian Mbappe was overshadowed by his counterpart when Manchester United took another famous win.
Nineteen months ago Marcus Rashford scored a last-minute penalty against Paris St-Germain and sent Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side into the final eight of the Champions League.
It was just a group game this time around, but the result was the same – Rashford found the far post to rattle in a wonderful 87th-minute winner and leave Mbappe frustrated again.
Solskjaer said after the game that Rashford and Mbappe were “both potentially top strikers for the next 10-15 years” but how does Rashford compare to the French World Cup winner?
“He can be world class”
At 21, Mbappe was already that Subject to a transfer of £ 165m and is quickly approaching 100 goals for PSG.
He has won Ligue 1 four years in a row and won four other club medals – not to mention the World Cup victory.
Rashford is 14 months older and not as productive – despite having made 40 caps for England and won an MBE.
“Marcus is a good footballer and he has quality,” said Solskjaer.
“He hit his target very well and developed into a very good striker. Both players seem very humble and hardworking. It’s nice to see they’re successful.”
“Rashford can definitely be world class if they keep improving,” former United captain Rio Ferdinand told BT Sport.
“He has to add that poacher element to his game. When Wayne Rooney signed for United, he scored incredible goals, he didn’t score ugly goals. He was obsessed with goals.
“Marcus scores fantastic goals and creates fantastic goals. If he can get that ugly side of the game through, this kid can be amazing.
“The difference between Rashford and Mbappe is that Mbappe gets the ball that I have on the edge of my seat because it forms for the goal. Marcus will look and think a little more about it.”
“You Might Just Get One Chance”
Solskjaer said that this win in Paris lacked the “euphoria” of the last 16 win from last year as this game was played behind closed doors due to coronavirus.
Bruno Fernandes gave United the lead from the penalty spot in a familiar manner – before Anthony Martial headed a ball into his own net.
Mbappe’s best moment came when he faced two challenges but David de Gea made a flying save to hit his shot.
And Rashford drilled in the winner three minutes from time after failing to get the most out of a clear counterattack minutes earlier.
“It’s a different feeling than when we won the last time, it’s early in the group stage but we beat a fantastic team,” said Solskjaer.
“The last time it was a knockout and it was euphoric. Without the fans, it’s sterile, but it’s still excellent and we deserve the win.”
“Both were opportunities for me to win the game,” said Rashford.
“As a striker, that’s the mentality in the late game. Maybe you only get one chance. That gives us three points.”
