It was built as ‘mission improbable’ but Manchester United appeared to be making a mockery of this viewpoint as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s injury-hit side went into half-time 2-1 up thanks to a double from Romelu Lukaku.
The visitors stormed into an early 1-0 lead as Lukaku gave the United the perfect start in Paris.
The Belgian, who bagged a brace against Southampton and Crystal Palace, continued his mini hot-streak as he broke the deadlock in France with less than two minutes on the clock. The striker raced on to a blind back pass from Thilo Kehrer, before he rounded keeper Gigi Buffon and slotted home from a tight angle.
United, no doubt inspired by Ajax’s stunning showing at the Bernabeu last night, will be hoping that they can join the Dutch side and Premier League rivals Tottenham in the draw for the quarter-finals.
However, the early momentum was swiftly drowned out by PSG who drew level on the night less than 10 minutes later after that Kylian Mbappe crossed to Juan Bernat who simply couldn’t miss from a few yards out as he restored his side’s two goal advantage.
Defender Eric Bailly was caught napping, something which Man Utd fans were quick to latch onto on social media, while Ashley Young also came in for criticism, with many supporters unsure where each man was supposed to be playing.
But United, to their credit, recovered and went ahead again just after the half-hour mark as that man Lukaku bagged his third brace in as many games, tapping home after Buffon fumbled a long-range Marcus Rashford effort.
It was an absolute shocker from the legendary keeper, who will not want to see that again in a hurry - watch below. One twitter user even said:
Has been training with Karius? (@DamiernMarchant)
The gift of a goal meant that United went 2-1 up on the night, with the score 2-3 on aggregated, and it’s fair to say that Red Devils fans believe that this could turn out to be a magical night in Paris.
THE MAN FOR THE BIG OCCASION (@ehhitsadam)
Lukaku has played brilliant so far tonight, on the end of every ball! Pouncing at everything! (@SirKezwald)
GET IN!!!! 1 more goal. Keep at it lads. Come on!! (@Jedi_Marcoss)
HAT TRICK INCOMING (@Faipop)
Big lukaku is scoring for fun at the moment (@rossmunro17)
Buffon fails to hold Rashford's dipping shot from long range and Lukaku is there to take advantage!