What will Neymar, Mbappe and Cavani do to Jones, Smalling and Lindelof?!

The Champions League draw has pitted Manchester United with Paris Saint-Germain, setting up a daunting prospect for Manchester United's struggling defence. 

Less than 24 hours on from a thrashing at the hands of Liverpool, Manchester United now have to wake up to the possibility of dealing with Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani and Neymar.

The Champions League round of 16 draw on Monday pitted ManchuUnited against a free-scoring, free-wheeling Paris Saint-Germain club who will surely relish the prospect of facing United’s underwhelming side in February and March. 

Mbappe, Edinson and Neymar have been coined in most circles as the ‘MEN’ forward line, but about the best United can put in front of them by way of response is the ‘JLS’ of Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling. It seems like an unfair battle. 

The Red Devil’s best hope is that the two-month gap between now and the first leg at Old Trafford brings about a change in fortunes for both sides. While Manchester United have struggled all season long and are 19 points off the Premier League table, PSG’s campaign has been almost the exact opposite so far. 

Having won their first 14 league games the Parisians remain 10 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 with two games in hand, and the multi-angled approach to attacking which has been evident in previous seasons has now been added to with a greater solidity and better attitude than has been on display in recent times. 

Particularly in Neymar and Mbappe, PSG also have two of the most fearsome attackers in the game who could turn the tie in a split second, leaving United with plenty to consider.

United have already conceded more league goals in 2018-19 season than they did in the entirety of last season, while they have shipped 35 in 24 matches in all competitions. Compare those numbers to PSG's scary scoring statistics - 49 league goals in 16 matches, as well as 17 goals in a tough Champions League group - and things could get very ugly.

Whatever defensive shape Manchester United has chosen this season hasn’t worked. Having even reverted to redeploying Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic and Matteo Darmian as centre-backs, the manager has failed in finding a settled routine at the back. Moreover, their inability to compete in midfield has only made things even tougher for those of a naturally defensive make-up.

United could afford a Marco Verratti, but instead he could spend 180 minutes in February and March showing them exactly what they are lacking. The man who dictate the tone and pulls so many strings for the ruthless PSG front-line is just another player to fear.

There is simply no better news for Manchester United at the moment given the state of their Premier League campaign, and their slim hopes of progressing in the Champions League just got a whole lot worst.