At the end of the 90 minutes its Paris Saint-Germain defeating Manchester United 2-0.
Goals to Blaise Matuidi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were enough for the French champions to overcome last season’s winners and lift the International Champions Cup.
An imperious performance by the Parisians was ably led from the front by Ibrahimovic who was just everywhere in attack and defence in that first half.
It was fairly balanced everywhere except in the goals column. United were simply uncharacteristic in their forays towards goal, with a lack of creativity and the final ball going forward.
Depay and Rooney saw plenty of ball but just couldn’t link with each other or test keeper Trapp. Some encouraging signs for the Red Devils though, with Matteo Darmian and Andreas Perreira showing their massive potentials with top performances.
United will be happy with their tournament with this being their sole loss, whilst PSG and Laurent Blanc will happily lift the trophy.
To summarise, PSG win the ICC following a 2 goals to nil win over Manchester United.
Manchester United take on the mighty Paris Saint-Germain at Soldier Field in Chicago in yet another fixture of the pre-season International Champions Cup. Can the Red Devils keep up their perfect preseason record? Join The Roar from 11:00am (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
Louis van Gaal’s men need just a penalty shootout victory in this, their last fixture of the International Champions Cup, in order to lift the trophy.
United have been in inspired form, with new and old blood alike performing admirably in victories over Club America, San Jose Earthquakes and most impressively European champions Barcelona.
PSG too have been in fine preseason form, with wins over Benfica and Fiorentina, however a penalties loss to Premier League champions Chelsea in Charlotte on Saturday derailed the campaign if ever so slightly.
The Red Devils have been busy in the transfer market lately with the acquisitions of German superstar Bastian Schweinsteiger, Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin, centre back Matteo Darmian, and in the last few days Argentinian goalkeeper Sergio Romero. These new acquisitions have shown promise in this edition of the Champions Cup and there could potentially be a debut for Romero if he is ready in time.
Contrastingly, PSG have been relatively quiet this window by their standards – to date, their only signings are German goalkeeper Kevin Trapp and Tottenham’s young midfielder Benjamin Stambouli. Manager Laurent Blanc had this to say at his pre-match press conference:
“It’s our final warm-up match before the Trophée des Champions against Lyon. It will be our dress rehearsal. Javier (Pastore) and Ezequiel (Lavezzi) have joined us so, at last, we have a full squad. Preseason hasn’t been easy because they have returned just a week before our first official match. It has made things a little more complicated, but we adapt to the situation.”
Blanc’s words suggest a near full-strength line-up will take the pitch for the Parisians in this fixture.
United have started the same XI for every fixture of the tournament and this could well be the case again in this one.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-1 PSG
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Phil T
Roar Rookie
thanks for the coverage Jake!
144
Roar Guru
A very heavy starting lineup from Manchester United, surprised they couldn't make a result of this match, well done PSG.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me for this entertaining fixture between Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain. I hope you've enjoyed preseason and the International Champions Cup and ensure you join The Roar when league football resumes in just over a week. Enjoy the rest of your thursday!
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
FULLTIME IN CHICAGO At the end of the 90 minutes its PSG 2 defeating Manchester United 0. Goals to Matuidi and Ibrahimovic are enough for the French champions to overcome last seasons winners and lift the International Champions Cup. An imperious performance by the Parisians was ably led from the front by Zlatan Ibrahimovic who was just everywhere in attack and defence in that first half. It was fairly balanced everywhere except in the goals column. United were simply uncharacteristic in their forays towards goal, with a lack of creativity and the final ball going forward. Depay and Rooney saw plenty of ball but just couldn't link with each other or test keeper Trapp. Some encouraging signs for the Red Devils though, with Matteo Darmian and Andreas Perreira showing their massive potentials with top performances. United will be happy with their tournament with this being their sole loss whilst PSG and Laurent Blanc will happily lift the trophy. To summarise, PSG win the ICC following a 2 goals to nil win over Manchester United.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
One added minute here and provided Untied are unable to find the net PSG will be lifting the trophy at its conclusion.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
90' A freekick is swung in by Perreira and its well over the back. Really sums up United's afternoon in front of goal... just lacklustre. 2-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
87' Valenica gets forward and produces a nice outside of the foot cross into the middle. Depay was there but is unable to control it as its diffused by PSG. Another nearly moment as United are steadily running out of time to score that crucial goal. 2-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
85' In the meantime, down the other end, Johnstone comes well out of his box and spends some time on the ball outside the area. He plays the ball nicely down the middle for Depay. What's he doing in goal with this skill?! In all seriousness, United need to find a goal in the next 5 minutes or they won't be lifting that trophy. 2-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
84' A long bomb from Blind looking for Rooney is unsuccessful. The striker cannot find a first touch and instead the ball flies over the back to land comfortably for Trapp. 2-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
83' United still searching for that ellusive goal with little success. There's a swag of PSG youngsters on the pitch now getting some exposure. 2-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Substitutes for both sides For PSG, Kimpembe and Nkunku replace Stambouli and Digne. For United, Lingard replaces Mata.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Yellow card to Antonio Valencia after some strong contact in a challenge with Lucas Digne. The Frenchman remains on the turf and looks in a spot of bother.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
77' Sabaly was fed through after a poor pass from Carrick. He moved towards goal and unleashed a strong effort but was only able to hit the side netting. Probably should have hit the target there the youngster. 2-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
76' Perreira rises for a cross at the back post as he looked to beat Trapp. He got up well over the top but failed to hit the target. 2-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Marquinhos shown a yellow card for a tough challenge on Rooney Terrible coverage from channel 9 as they suggest a yellow card is a send off in their graphics...
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
73' Mata looks to shimmy and turn in the box but he's surrounded by 3 PSG defenders as David Luiz shields the ball out of play for a goalkick. 2-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
70 minutes gone and Zlatan Ibarhimovic makes his exit as PSG hang onto a 2 goal lead which, if the score is unchanged, will see them lift the International Champions Cup in just 20 short minutes. Its all on Cavani to lead the line now. 2-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
70 minutes gone and Zlatan Ibarhimovic makes his exit as PSG hang onto a 2 goal lead which, if the score is unchanged, will see them lift the International Champions Cup in just 20 short minutes. Its all on Cavani to lead the line now.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Substitutes for PSG Ongenda and Bahebeck replace Lucas Moura and Ibrahimovic.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
68' Nice bit of skill from Depay with an elastico pass out wide. But yet again its been a case of individual moments of skill however they've been unable to convert them into meaningful chances and efforts on goal. United really just need their strikers to settle in and link up. 2-0