PSG's Kylian Mbappe Says 'Don't Be Afraid: We're Good' Without Neymar, Cavani

Kylian Mbappe has urged people not to "be afraid" of how Paris Saint-Germain will manage without Neymar and Edinson Cavani after they beat Manchester United 2-0 in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. 

The injured pair were absent for the Parisians, but they managed to inflict a first defeat in 12 games on interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thanks to goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Mbappe at Old Trafford.

The latter told French radio station RMC (h/t MailOnline's Peter Rutzler): "People have to stop selling fear and being afraid. Of course, Neymar is super-important and Cavani is fundamental, but football gets played on the pitch. We showed that tonight. Don't be afraid: we're good."

United's chances of securing a good result in the opening leg were significantly boosted by the injuries to Neymar and Cavani, but they had problems of their own as Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard were both forced off shortly before the break.

Their replacements, Juan Mata and Alexis Sanchez—the latter in particular—offered little, and the Red Devils only managed to direct one of their 10 shots on target.

At the other end, Kimpembe escaped the attentions of Nemanja Matic to volley home an Angel Di Maria corner in the 53rd minute.

Seven minutes later, former United player Di Maria was provider again for Mbappe:

"I could have scored goal No. 3, and I think that third goal would have finished the tie," the Frenchman said after he was denied a brace by David De Gea. "But I'll look to get one in the second leg."

United's struggles were compounded by a late red card for Paul Pogba when he received a second booking for a foul on Dani Alves, and the Frenchman will be suspended for the return leg in Paris.

ESPN's David Cartlidge and Jonathan Johnson praised PSG following their victory:

For PSG to have won despite the psychological blow of losing two of their most important players, it could be a big result for a side that have been somewhat fragile on the European stage in recent years.

Last season, they were toppled by Real Madrid in the round of 16 after losing Neymar to injury before the second leg, and they're yet to reach a Champions League semi-final.

In 2017, PSG infamously went out at the hands of Barcelona after taking a 4-0 lead in the first leg, so they'll need to see out the United tie to show they've improved in that regard.