PSG claimed a famous 2-1 win away to bugbear side Manchester United on Wednesday night, goals from Neymar (6', 90'+1) and Marquinhos (69') cancelling out Marcus Rashford's deflected strike (32') to put the French club level with the Red Devils on nine points - but behind on goal difference.

Tuchel: 'We're pulling together'

The capital club had come under scrutiny after catastrophic second-half performances saw them fitter away leads and lose 3-2 to Monaco and draw 2-2 at home to Bordeaux in successive league outings, but evidently Tuchel found the right words to motivate his troops, who turned in a superb team performance to prevail against an excellent Man U side in the Theatre of Dreams.

"We're pulling together. These are moments when it is necessary to be a coach. I learn every day. I've made mistakes, but I'm never going to stop pushing this team. I'm proud of my team and at the same time I'm very vigilant, it's not over yet," explained the German, whose side are almost qualified for the round of 16.

"That's the word: almost. Almost pregnant means you are not pregnant. I don't want to let any of my players think we're already qualified. It's one of the biggest challenges in the world to win at Old Trafford. The whole team put up a great fight, but we have to take one last step and we have to play with the same mentality."

Stars step up

With PSG old boy Edinson Cavani hitting the cross-bar with an outrageous lob and Frenchman Anthony Martial going desperately close on two occasions in the second half, the Red Devils were within a whisker of taking the lead.

However, Marquinhos - who had made a last-gasp block to deny Martial - also proved once again that he can make an impact at the other end of the field. Using his trademark grit and determination, the Brazilian pushed Abdou Diallo's low cross over the line before Man U's Fred saw red and Neymar made absolutely certain of the result with PSG's third just before the final whistle.   

"Neymar was decisive again, Marqui too. These are the two guys who were decisive in Portugal [during the Final 8 last season] for us," said Tuchel of his goal scorers. "They are leaders, it's clear, they once again assumed their responsibilities when it was necessary. Congratulations to them."

One more step

PSG's final hurdle comes at home to bottom club Basaksehir on Matchday 6, when any win will assure them of a place in the last 16, potentially in top spot, while even a defeat could see them qualify should Man U's clash with Leipzig not end in a draw.

Rennes' hopes dashed

Meanwhile Stade Rennais did everything possible except score as they fell to a smash-and-grab 1-0 defeat away to Krasnodar, Marcus Berg's lone strike doing the damage. A result that saw their slim hopes of pipping the Russian club to third - and the Europa League last 16 place that goes with it - evaporate completely.

Stéphan: 'Learning phase'

"This is our first experience in this competition. We're in a learning phase; we know it's not nice to hear that, but it's reality. A large part of my squad are playing their first matches at this, the highest level," explained coach Julien Stéphan, whose side remain winless in their maiden Champions League campaign. "Youth development is also an integral part of the club's project. It is for all these reasons that we find ourselves eliminated."

Rennes have a final chance to put one in the win column as they play host to Matchday 6 opponents Sevilla at Roazhon Park on Tuesday.

(Photo: PSG.fr)