Paris Saint-Germain confirm Neymar will miss both Manchester United matches

Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed Neymar will be sidelined for a period of 10 weeks and will miss both Champions League last-16 matches against Manchester United.

Neymar suffered an injury to the same metatarsal in his right foot during a cup match with Strasbourg last week that ruled him out of the final 15 matches of last season.

The Brazil international was immediately marked as a huge doubt for their trip to Old Trafford on February 12 but the Ligue 1 giants have now confirmed their worst fears.

“On Tuesday evening Paris Saint-Germain gathered together a group of world-renowned medical experts at the Ooredoo Training Centre to carry out a thorough review of the injury to Neymar’s right foot, sustained against Strasbourg in the Coupe de France round of 16 match on 23 January,” read a statement released by PSG.

“After detailed analysis by the specialists, a consensus was reached of conservative treatment of Neymar’s injury to the fifth right metatarsal. Informed of this recommendation, Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian international striker agreed with this protocol. As a result, Neymar is expected to return to the field within ten weeks.”

As well as missing PSG’s opening knockout match against United, it means he will also miss the return leg on March 3. The 26-year-old could end up missing 18 games in all competitions, which is a hammer blow for Thomas Tuchel’s side.

Neymar has scored or assisted in all but two of his 19 matches across league and European competition this season, playing a direct hand in 26 goals in that time (18 goals, eight assists).