European roundup: Mbappé denies PSG exit reports, Union Berlin extend lead

Neymar’s goal ended Paris Saint-Germain’s winless run as they beat bitter rivals Marseille 1-0 in Ligue 1. The Brazilian struck moments before half-time to earn PSG a three-point lead over second-placed side Lorient. Marseille had centre-back Samuel Gigot sent off midway through the second half.

After the game, Kylian Mbappé denied reports he is unhappy at the club and eager to move on in the winter transfer window. “I have not asked to leave PSG in January,” the forward told RMC Sport. “I’m not furious with the club, it’s not true.”

“I was as shocked by this news as everyone else. People may think I’m involved, I’m not at all,” Mbappé added in relation to reports that emerged on Tuesday. “I was taking a nap, my entourage was at my little brother’s game. We were stunned when we found out … I just wanted to say that it’s completely false. I’m very happy here.”

In the Bundesliga, surprise leaders Union Berlin have opened up a four-point lead at the top after Janik Haberer scored twice in 13 minutes to earn a 2-0 home victory over Borussia Dortmund.

Haberer pounced to tap in from close range in the eighth minute after the Dortmund keeper, Gregor Kobel, miskicked the ball. The midfielder drilled in another with a powerful shot from the edge the box in the 21st minute, and the visitors were lucky to go into the break with just a two-goal deficit.

Union’s Sheraldo Becker wreaked havoc down the wing, but Dortmund improved defensively after the break with Kobel producing a full-stretch save to stop a Timo Baumgartl header – but they completely lacked ideas in attack to threaten the hosts.

Bayern Munich moved up to second with a dominant 5-0 victory over Freiburg, who drop to third. The defending champions made an ominous start