FEATURED: Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain – Match Facts | OneFootball

Manchester United finally get their first-ever UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign underway this evening when French giants Paris Saint-Germain are the visitors to the Leigh Sports Village.

The Red Devils come into the tournament in the Round 2 stage. As one of the unseeded teams in the draw, Marc Skinner’s side have been handed a tough assignment against the two-time tournament runners-up.

Ahead of the first leg, WSL Full-Time have reviewed the UEFA match facts. Here are three things to note going into the tie at the Leigh Sports Village.

Parris closing in on tournament milestone

Manchester United forward Nikita Parris is closing in on her own personal milestone in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. She is just four appearances short of her 50th in the competition.

Parris has netted 15 goals in her 46 tournament matches. Six of those goals came during her time with Lyon. Parris won the UEFA Women’s Champions League with the French side in 2019/2020.

Parris’ European experience could be hugely important for Manchester United in this tie.

LSV reunions

Former Manchester United fans’ favourite Jackie Groenen could feature for Paris Saint-Germain in this evening’s tie. The Dutch midfielder spent three seasons as a Manchester United player in which she made 60 appearances.

Another player making her Leigh Sports Village return is French defender Aïssatou Tounkara. The 28-year-old made just five appearances in a Manchester United shirt last season before leaving the club in the summer.

Both players will be hoping to receive a warm welcome from the home crowd this evening.

Klarlund Nielsen returns to English soil

Match referee Frida Klarlund Nielsen is no stranger to UEFA Women’s Champions League Round 2 ties on English soil. She took charge of last season’s first leg tie between Arsenal and Ajax at Meadow Park. On that occasion, the two sides played out a 2-2 draw. Klarlund Nielsen awarded Arsenal a penalty in that match.

The Dane is a well-respected referee in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. She took charge of ties from Round 1 up to and including the quarter-finals last season. Manchester United’s tie against Paris Saint-Germain will be controlled by a very good official.

The UEFA Women’s Champions League Round 2, first leg tie between Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain is scheduled to kick-off at 8pm this evening. Tickets remain available and can be purchased by clicking here.

Match Facts: UEFA Information Kit