Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
PSG boss Thomas Tuchel tried to sign Man Utd star this summer but transfer collapsed
Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United go head-to-head in the Champions League group stages tomorrow night.
Man Utd: Solskjaer reacts to 4-1 win over Newcastle
Edinson Cavani will not be part of the Manchester United squad to take on his former side PSG tomorrow night and he is not the only narrative surrounding the Champions League opener. Alex Telles could be set to make his United debut having watched the 4-1 win at Newcastle from the bench on Saturday night.
He is no stranger to this competition having made Champions League appearances for both Porto and Galatasaray since arriving in Europe in 2014.
Now the Brazilian is raring to go and wants to help United re-establish themselves as a force under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following his deadline day transfer.
United had a clear run on the player but earlier in the summer the picture was very different.
The left-back looked destined to join PSG, who have been tracking him for the past few years at Porto.
TOP STORY: Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk issue statement on knee injury and makes comeback vow
Thomas Tuchel was reportedly in favour of the deal and wanted to bring Telles to the club.
Problematically, PSG were told by Porto that they would have to pay around £25million to get the deal done.
The Champions League semi-finalists do not have that kind of money at the moment and were exclusively shopping in the loan market.
PSG chiefs blocked the deal and felt the club had enough cover at left-back in the form of Juan Bernat, Mitchel Bakker and Layvin Kurzawa.
DON'T MISS
Man Utd ace McTominay explains dressing room stance on Solskjaer sack amid Pochettino link
Liverpool receive double injury boost after discovering Virgil van Dijk requires surgery
Liverpool boss Klopp urged to sign centre-back 'on January 1' after Van Dijk injury blow
Quietly though, the Ligue 1 champions were optimistic Telles would see out the final year of his contract before joining PSG on a free transfer.
Instead, he opted to join United for an initial £13.6m as he prepares to go head-to-head with the club who wanted to sign him.
Telles has revealed he was impressed by Solskjaer plan and the Norwegian's vision proved a key factor in his decision to join United.
“To join a club with the prestige of Manchester United is a huge honour,” the Brazilian said.
“You have to work hard to get to this moment in your career and now I am coming to this club, I can promise that I will give everything in my heart to be a success here.
“I won many trophies at FC Porto and I want to continue that at United. The manager has a clear plan and direction for this team and I can’t wait to pull on the famous shirt.”
Should he get the nod to start, he will have his hands full trying to contain Brazil team-mate Neymar.
The former Barcelona man has been declared fit by Tuchel as United look to keep him and Kylian Mbappe at bay. What better night to make your United debut.