United failed to get a foothold in the game and was lucky not to be limited to 10 men early as Fred only got a yellow card after a VAR search on Leandro Paredes for what seemed to be a headbutt.
After a 3-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain at Old Trafford, Fred was sent off as Manchester United struggled to secure their place in the Champions League last 16.
When Neymar lashed home Kylian Mbappe’s deflected shot across six minutes, the visitors made a quick start and surged in front.
PSG reversed form and in two decisive moments, the match turned their way. First, to regain their advantage, Marquinhos stabbed home from near range before Fred actually obtained his marching orders for a second yellow.
As Marcus Rashford’s low drive redirected into the other corner off Danilo, the hosts then celebrated a further slice of luck.
After the split, the men of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stepped it up, but both Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani saw major chances go begging.
In injury time, Neymar then added a third to leave Group H finely poised going into the final round of matches. United, PSG, and RB Leipzig have all nine points, with Basaksehir from Istanbul already reported to finish bottom on three points.
United will host West Ham on Saturday before heading to Germany for next Tuesday’s crunch clash in Leipzig. When they host Istanbul Basaksehir, PSG will feel assured of advancing.
Manchester United – Paris Saint-Germain 1-3
Goals: Rashford (32), Neymar (6, 90+1), Marquinhos (69)
Manchester United: De Gea – Wan-Bissaka (90. Ighalo), Lindelof, Maguire, Telles – Rashford (74. Pogba), McTominay, Fernandes, Fred, Martial (79. Greenwood) – Cavani (79. van de Beek)
Paris Saint-Germain: Navas – Florenzi (79. Kehrer), Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Diallo (90. Gueye) – Parredes (65. Herrera), Pereira, Veratti (79. Rafinha) – Neymar, Kean (65. Bakker), Mbappe
