Manchester United, Marseille and Coupe de France - Key games Neymar will miss

With Neymar out with a foot injury until mid-April, we look at some of the key Paris Saint-Germain matches he will miss.

Published : Jan 30, 2019 18:42 IST

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar
Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar
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Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar

Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar is set to miss at least 14 matches as he recovers from injury, including the Champions League double-header against Manchester United.

PSG confirmed on Wednesday that the Brazil forward is likely to be absent for a further 10 weeks due to a foot injury suffered last week against Strasbourg in the Coupe de France.

READ| Neymar set for 10 weeks out with foot injury

For the second season running, Neymar will be absent for a key stretch of the campaign.

PSG has 14 matches before his potential return against second-placed Ligue 1 rival Lille on April 13 and that number will increase further if Thomas Tuchel's men progress in the cup and in Europe.

We take a look at some of the key games Neymar is set to miss.

LYON (A) - FEBRUARY 3

With Marco Verratti joining Neymar in the treatment room, third-placed Lyon will welcome PSG on Sunday more confident of ending the champion's unbeaten Ligue 1 record this season. Tuchel's side will face few tougher tests in domestic competitions. Lyon has already beaten Manchester City this season.

READ| Barcelona rejects Neymar phone call reports

VILLEFRANCHE (A) - FEBRUARY 6

Although PSG crashed out of the Coupe de la Ligue to lowly Guingamp with Neymar available, it should have no issues in the Coupe de France against minnow Villefranche. However, with the quarterfinals set for the end of February and the semifinals to take place in the first week of April, Neymar will still be absent against more testing opponents should PSG advance.

MANCHESTER UNITED (A) - FEBRUARY 12

The big one. PSG tumbled out of last season's Champions League at the last-16 stage with a 5-2 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid as Neymar sat out the second leg with a foot injury, and it will fear a repeat against a rejuvenated United side. In a busy February, the loss of Neymar could well be felt keenly under the lights at Old Trafford.

MANCHESTER UNITED (H) - MARCH 6

PSG will hope to still be in the tie when it welcomes United to the Parc des Princes for the second leg and then it will be up to the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani to star in their team-mate's absence. The French side did defeat Liverpool at home in the Champions League group stage, but Neymar was influential in that victory.

READ| Arthur 'praying' for Neymar return to Barcelona

MARSEILLE (H) - MARCH 17

Neymar's injury last season came against Marseille in February, but he will miss the second Ligue 1 Classique of the season this time around. Having lost 2-0 at the Stade Velodrome, Marseille will be keen for revenge and, with Dimitri Payet, Florian Thauvin and now Mario Balotelli, the side have the quality to capitalise on Neymar's absence.

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