Paris Saint-Germain’s corner in the second half was the exact moment Manchester United lost control of the Champions League clash, according to Ander Herrera.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s unbeaten run came to an end in the first leg of the last 16 tie as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat thanks to second half goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe.

The first half at Old Trafford was a cagey affair but it was the visitors who got the breakthrough as defender Kimpembe volleyed past De Gea in the 53rd minute to give Thomas Tuchel’s side the lead.

Mbappe then scored seven minutes later to double the Paris champions’ lead leaving United with a huge task in the second leg over in France next month.

Herrera, who played the full 90 minutes, believes United lost control of the game when David de Gea’s save from an Mbappe header gave PSG the corner which led to their opening goal.

“I think the game was tight until the corner after the first goal they played the way they wanted to play because we were pressing well,” Herrera told BT Sport after the game.

“After the first goal everything changed, I think the game was under control, I couldn’t say we were better up until that moment, but we were not worse than them, the game could have finished 0-0 if they didn’t score the corner.

“After that then they played counter attack which is what they wanted because they have very quick players.”

Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard were both forced off at half time with muscle injuries and were replaced by Juan Mata and Alexis Sanchez – and both failed to have an impact on the game.

It was put to Herrera that United losing their pace up front gave PSG an added advantage but the midfielder didn’t agree.

“I think we lost some pace but we won some combinations with Alexis and Juan so I don’t know if that is the right analysis,” Herrera replied.

“I think we were pressing okay they were not feeling good on the ball but the goal made the difference because after that they played counter attack and tried to find the gaps in behind our defenders.

“After the goal we had some shots and crosses but we didn’t shoot well enough and we didn’t have too many people in the box.”

Source: Manchester Evening News