The Ligue 1 club will be forced to face the resurgent Red Devils missing their key striker after he sustained a foot injury last month
Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes that the absence of star forward Neymar will be “dangerous” ahead of his side’s Champions League knockout campaign.
The Brazil international is set to miss the Ligue 1 outfit’s round-of-16 tie against Manchester United later this month after he suffered a foot injury in January.
The former Barcelona man had been in fine form prior to his setback, having netted 20 goals in 23 games across all competitions so far this season.
Buffon, who won the UEFA Cup early in his career with Parma but is yet to taste success in Europe’s premier club competition, is looking to add another medal to his trophy cabinet following his switch from Juventus last year.
The 41-year-old, however, admits that with their talismanic striker missing in action, PSG’s chances have suffered a blow, particularly as they prepare to face a resurgent Red Devils side.
“Every year, I always thought it could be the right year. But it is now 24 years since I am trying to win the Champions League,” Buffon told reporters on Saturday ahead of his side’s league game against Lyon on Sunday.
“But it’s very hard to do so. You have to be a bit lucky. Right now for us, it’s a special time because Ney got injured.
“For us, Ney is a very important player because he did unbelievable stuff for the team during the last three months.
“For us, it’s dangerous to not have him.”
PSG are missing a forward option from the first half of the campaign after they loaned United States international Timothy Weah out to Celtic for the remainder of the season.
They have however added Argentine midfielder Leonardo Paredes from Zenit Saint Petersburg to bolster their ranks in central midfielder behind their offence.
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Neymar helped lead Thomas Tuchel’s side to the Trophee des Champions last year after previously firing the club to Ligue 1 success across the 2017-18 campaign.
He did, however, endure something of a mixed World Cup campaign in Russia, with Brazil knocked out by Belgium in the quarter-finals.
PSG head to Old Trafford for the first leg of their tie against United on February 12.
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