PSG 'a level up' from Manchester United, says Ferdinand

The former defender says the French side gave the Red Devils a "reality check" on Tuesday

Rio Ferdinand says that his former club Manchester United are not in the same class as Paris Saint-German, who remain "a level above" their Champions League opponents.

Even without Neymar and Edinson Cavani in the lineup, PSG coasted to a 2-0 win at Old Trafford on Tuesday in the first leg of their round of 16 clash.

The loss was the first of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's tenure as the club's caretaker boss, as the former forward had amassed a record of 10 wins and a draw in his first 11 matches in charge of his old club.

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Following a fairly even first half, it became abundantly clear who the better team was in the second half of Tuesday's match as Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe fired PSG to a statement first-leg victory that gives them one foot in the next round.

"This PSG team is just a level up from this Manchester United team at the moment," Ferdinand said on BT Sport.

"This is a reality check for this United team. It's not a bad thing, it's something to learn from," he added.

"In this tenure Ole Gunner Solskjaer has probably been preparing for this loss.

"But tonight they didn't show anything as an attacking force. They didn't get around players. This PSG team, without two of their best attacking players, coasted."

Making matters worse for Manchester United was Paul Pogba's dismissal, as the midfielder was sent off with a second yellow card for a late foul.


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He'll now miss the second leg at the Parc des Princes due to suspension, leaving Manchester United without an influential piece in the midfield.

Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial also left the match with apparent injuries, giving the Red Devils more concerns heading into the second leg.

That second leg will kick off on March 6.