Paris Saint-Germain have players capable of stopping Paul Pogba in Tuesdayโs Champions League clash, insists Julian Draxler.
The Ligue 1 leaders head to Old Trafford for the first leg of their last-16 tie against a United team who have shown resurgent form under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Saturdayโs 3-0 defeat of Fulham was their 10th win in 11 games in all competitions since Solskjaer took over from Jose Mourinho in December.
Pogba has been instrumental in their improved run, his two goals against Fulham taking his tally to 11 in the Premier League this term, a personal best in a single season in top-flight football.
Draxler, though, is confident his teammates can keep Pogba quiet, telling a news conference: โThey have got some great players at Man United, especially in midfield, with Pogba and [Nemanja] Matic. They will be key in the game.
โBut weโve got a lot of quality, too. Our players are more than capable. We stopped Paul sometimes in games between Germany and France.
โWeโll see what he does. He can do everything, but weโve got players capable of stopping Paul.โ
Tuesdayโs game will see Angel di Maria face his old club for the first time in a competitive match since he left for PSG for a reported ยฃ44-million in 2015.
With Neymar and Edinson Cavani out injured, Draxler hopes he and Di Maria can produce a positive display.
โI was asking him some things about Man United, but I wonโt tell you what he said โ it was nothing bad,โ Draxler said. โWe will need him without Cavani and Neymar. Hopefully, he gives a good performance.
โI donโt really know what position I will be playing, but Iโm comfortable in lots of positions. Iโm not the same type of player as Neymar, and clearly weโll miss him. Iโll try to put in a great performance.โ
Draxler does not consider either side to be favourites, but is confident PSG will be able to overturn any negative result in the second leg at Parc des Princes on 6 March.
โEveryone knows that there are two good teams,โ he said. โEveryone should be ready to watch the match because itโs one everyone wants to see. I donโt know if United are favourites or us. For me, itโs not important.
โYouโll never win a game by talking a lot before the game. Itโs what happens on the pitch that counts.
โWeโre expecting United to play in the same way they have been playing recently. But itโs not all or nothing [on Tuesday]. There is the second leg at our ground.โ