Marco Verratti sprained his ankle in Paris Saint-Germain‘s 9-0 win over Guingamp to cast doubt over his involvement in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 clash vs Manchester United.
PSG travel to Old Trafford in just over three weeks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s rejuvenated side hosting the first leg on February 12.
The Italian midfielder’s potential absence could heighten the club’s urgency to sign a midfielder before the end of the January transfer window.
A statement on the club’s website confirmed the initial diagnosis: “The MRI performed on Marco Verratti last night, after the match against Guingamp, confirmed a sprained left ankle without any other injury associated.
“The evolution in the next days after the care and new exams at the beginning of the week will make it possible to specify the time of unavailability of the player.”
PSG are now 13 points clear of Lille in second place in Ligue 1 and have two games in hand.
And Thomas Tuchel’s side face enormous pressure to progress in the Champions League and since Jose Mourinho’s departure at Old Trafford, the last 16 tie appears to be much more competitive.
Without Verratti and Adrien Rabiot set to leave this summer, having not played for the club since December 11, Tuchel will be desperate to strengthen.
Abdoulaye Doucoure has been recently linked but the Watford midfielder insists he wants to stay, though he was absent through injury for the 0-0 with Burnley on Saturday.
