Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits his Manchester United side had a reality check after Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) cruised to a 2-0 win in the Champions League last-16 first leg.
Solskjaer was beaten for the first time in 12 matches as United’s interim manager as second-half goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe rocked Old Trafford and left their European hopes hanging by a thread.
To make matters worse for United, midfield yster Paul Pogba sent off and Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial went off injured.
Solskjaer conceded United, who managed only one shot on target all game, need to level up to compete with the European elite.
After the defeat, he said: "Today is a reality check for us on the level of top teams.
“You could see that we hadn’t played at this level for a while and we will have to learn.
“It was an experience that can go either way, it’s not going to be a season-defining one, it’s one we have to learn from.”
With nine goals and a number of assists under Solskjaer’s 12-game reign, Pogba had a surprisingly swak game and his high challenge on Dani Alves booked him an early shower.
Injuries to forwards Lingard and Martial, though, is a bigger problem for Solskjaer.
The duo are now in doubt for Monday night’s FA Cup fifth-round clash against Chelsea and United host Premier League leaders Liverpool next Saturday.
Solskjaer says: “We had quality players to come on but Lingard and Martial give us something and let’s hope they are not too serious.
“They are muscle injuries, we have to wait a couple of days.