PARIS – Kylian Mbappe insisted Sunday he has “never asked to leave” Paris Saint-Germain regardless of widespread experiences final week that he would search a transfer away from the Qatar-owned membership as quickly as potential.

The 23-year-old France celebrity was talking within the wake of PSG’s 1-0 win over Marseille, by which he arrange Neymar for the one aim as his facet moved three factors clear on the prime of Ligue 1.

“I am very happy. I have never asked to leave in January,” he mentioned whereas insisting that he was not “implicated directly or indirectly” within the rumours about his future.

The story emerged on Tuesday, hours earlier than PSG’s 1-1 Champions League draw with Benfica by which he scored.

“I didn’t understand why the story came out on the day of a game. I was as shocked as everyone,” Mbappe claimed.

“People can think I was involved but I wasn’t at all.”

Several sources guarantee that the noise about Mbappe wanting to depart PSG — regardless of solely signing a brand new three-year contract in May after prolonged negotiations — got here from the entourage of the participant himself.

Mbappe has brazenly admitted that he has not loved his place within the Paris assault this season, saying he performs with “more freedom” when on worldwide obligation.

But he insisted that there was no reality that he needed to depart Paris, saying: “It is completely false. I am very happy.”

Neymar’s aim in opposition to Marseille got here in first-half stoppage time as PSG beat their bitter rivals on the Parc des Princes to keep their unbeaten begin to the season.

The sport additionally featured a pink card for Marseille defender Samuel Gigot, who was dismissed within the second half for scything down Neymar.

It was a welcome return to profitable methods for PSG after three straight attracts and every week overshadowed by the doubts about Mbappe’s future.

PSG are three factors away from shock package deal Lorient, who drew 0-0 on Saturday with Reims.

Lens are 5 factors behind the leaders in third, with Marseille one other level adrift now in fourth.

‘BIG CHARACTERS’

Mbappe lined up for the Parisians alongside Neymar and the returning Lionel Messi in assault and was twice denied by advantageous Pau Lopez saves within the first half.

“He created lots of chances. He was in his favourite position most of the time. He just lacked a bit of luck and came up against a good goalkeeper,” coach Christophe Galtier informed broadcaster Amazon Prime.

“Obviously I have understood Kylian and that he wants to be in his favourite position,” mentioned Galtier, who switched from a again three to a again 4 in opposition to Marseille.

“That is also why we tried to play with a different system, but believe me when I say everything is fine in the dressing room.

“I’ve gamers with large characters however they’re nice professionals.”

Messi hit the underside of the crossbar from a first-half free-kick for PSG, who lost Danilo Pereira to injury in the first half.

Marseille, who beat Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League in midweek, were a threat when they got forward but could not find a response to Neymar’s goal.

BLANC LOSES LYON DEBUT

“I’m not annoyed,” their coach, Igor Tudor, told Amazon Prime.

“It completed 1-0 nevertheless it may have been perhaps 5-5 or 4-5 or 6-4. Paris deserved this win.”

Elsewhere, Lyon’s hunch continued as they went down 3-2 to Rennes of their first sport since appointing former PSG boss Laurent Blanc as their new coach.

Blanc succeeded the sacked Peter Bosz final week to return to French soccer greater than six years after his departure from Paris, the place he gained three Ligue 1 titles in three seasons.

He is now charged with reviving the fortunes of the seven-time former French champions however a brace from Martin Terrier and an Amine Gouiri aim gave Rennes the victory which leaves them fifth.

Alexandre Lacazette scored twice for Lyon who are actually tenth after seeing their run with out a win prolonged to six video games.

Monaco are sixth after a 1-1 draw with Clermont by which they had been hindered by the early sending-off of Malian midfielder Mohamed Camara.