• AC MILAN RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma, 6 – One of the world’s best no doubt, but he was mightily relieved to see a misjudged pass out from the back strike Daniel James and trickle out of play for a goal kick. He was significantly more commanding when he charged about 30 yards to nick the ball away from the same man, although he was beaten comfortably by Paul Pogba’s deft finish. EPA
    AC MILAN RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma, 6 – One of the world’s best no doubt, but he was mightily relieved to see a misjudged pass out from the back strike Daniel James and trickle out of play for a goal kick. He was significantly more commanding when he charged about 30 yards to nick the ball away from the same man, although he was beaten comfortably by Paul Pogba’s deft finish. EPA
  • Pierre Kalulu, 6 - Promoted to the starting XI having featured for just 16 minutes at Old Trafford. He had a much busier night this time around with Luke Shaw once again looking in the mood, but he stuck to the task well for the most part despite a couple of nervy moments. Replaced by Diogo Dalot. EPA
    Pierre Kalulu, 6 - Promoted to the starting XI having featured for just 16 minutes at Old Trafford. He had a much busier night this time around with Luke Shaw once again looking in the mood, but he stuck to the task well for the most part despite a couple of nervy moments. Replaced by Diogo Dalot. EPA
  • Simon Kjær, 7 – Milan’s last-gasp hero was once again their saviour on multiple occasions in the second leg with a couple of vital clearances to turn perilous crosses from the right away to safety. He won pretty much every 50/50 he was involved in too in another assured night’s work. Reuters
    Simon Kjær, 7 – Milan’s last-gasp hero was once again their saviour on multiple occasions in the second leg with a couple of vital clearances to turn perilous crosses from the right away to safety. He won pretty much every 50/50 he was involved in too in another assured night’s work. Reuters
  • Fikayo Tomori, 7 - Like his goalkeeper, he showed some early nerves as he completely missed James’ cross and he wasn’t much closer to Greenwood’s a couple of minutes later, although he bounced back superbly to halt James as United broke at speed. AFP
    Fikayo Tomori, 7 - Like his goalkeeper, he showed some early nerves as he completely missed James’ cross and he wasn’t much closer to Greenwood’s a couple of minutes later, although he bounced back superbly to halt James as United broke at speed. AFP
  • Theo Hernandez, 5 – Struggled against the energy of Mason Greenwood and James, but he showed good strength to put Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the deck and he got away from the same man to send Samu Castillejo on his way. Beaten for pace by James but certainly not in strength in what turned into an intriguing battle, with the full-back later clattering the winger - somewhat cynically - for good measure. Reuters
    Theo Hernandez, 5 – Struggled against the energy of Mason Greenwood and James, but he showed good strength to put Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the deck and he got away from the same man to send Samu Castillejo on his way. Beaten for pace by James but certainly not in strength in what turned into an intriguing battle, with the full-back later clattering the winger - somewhat cynically - for good measure. Reuters
  • Soualiho Meite, 6 - Produced some lovely footwork to wriggle past a couple of lunging challenges as Milan ventured into United territory for the first time after a spell of heavy pressure, only for a promising move to fizzle out. Failed to clear his lines as Pogba capitalised on some penalty area pinball to lift the ball beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma. AFP
    Soualiho Meite, 6 - Produced some lovely footwork to wriggle past a couple of lunging challenges as Milan ventured into United territory for the first time after a spell of heavy pressure, only for a promising move to fizzle out. Failed to clear his lines as Pogba capitalised on some penalty area pinball to lift the ball beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma. AFP
  • Franck Kessie, 8 - The midfielder was desperately unlucky to see a sublime effort ruled out in the first leg and he had his side’s first effort in the second, but it was easy work for Dean Henderson this time. Another classy outing in the middle of the park for a player who always looked the most likely man in red and black to make something happen. Reuters
    Franck Kessie, 8 - The midfielder was desperately unlucky to see a sublime effort ruled out in the first leg and he had his side’s first effort in the second, but it was easy work for Dean Henderson this time. Another classy outing in the middle of the park for a player who always looked the most likely man in red and black to make something happen. Reuters
  • Hakan Çalhanoğlu, 6 - He was desperately waiting for the pull-back from Castillejo who opted to find Rade Krunic and probably wished he hadn’t. The midfielder later picked out Kessie with a calculated cross from the right only for the impressive Ivorian to glance wide. Reuters
    Hakan Çalhanoğlu, 6 - He was desperately waiting for the pull-back from Castillejo who opted to find Rade Krunic and probably wished he hadn’t. The midfielder later picked out Kessie with a calculated cross from the right only for the impressive Ivorian to glance wide. Reuters
  • Alexis Saelemaekers, 6 - Given acres of space to drive a fizzed effort from outside the box at Henderson, only for the ball to strike the goalkeeper’s elbow and squirm behind for a corner. He always looked dangerous when Milan were in the ascendency, but the final ball was never quite on the money. AFP
    Alexis Saelemaekers, 6 - Given acres of space to drive a fizzed effort from outside the box at Henderson, only for the ball to strike the goalkeeper’s elbow and squirm behind for a corner. He always looked dangerous when Milan were in the ascendency, but the final ball was never quite on the money. AFP
  • Samu Castillejo, 7 - Had United defenders scrambling with a couple of driving runs into the box from deep but his lay-off to Kessie lacked composure as a big chance went begging, before his angled strike was later pushed to safety by Henderson. Reuters
    Samu Castillejo, 7 - Had United defenders scrambling with a couple of driving runs into the box from deep but his lay-off to Kessie lacked composure as a big chance went begging, before his angled strike was later pushed to safety by Henderson. Reuters
  • Rade Krunic, 5 - Scuffed a golden chance wide after good work from Pierre Kalulu and that was the final act of a fascinating first half. He did so well to get in front of Wan-Bissaka, but he had to hit the target and it was a miss that proved to be costly. EPA
    Rade Krunic, 5 - Scuffed a golden chance wide after good work from Pierre Kalulu and that was the final act of a fascinating first half. He did so well to get in front of Wan-Bissaka, but he had to hit the target and it was a miss that proved to be costly. EPA
  • SUB: Diogo Dalot, 6 - Replaced Kalulu in a double-switch in the 65th minute and was booked shortly after for protesting a free-kick a little too vocally for the referee's liking. He’ll be as guttered as anybody to crash out though; he’ll have felt he had a point to prove to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the United faithful. AFP
    SUB: Diogo Dalot, 6 - Replaced Kalulu in a double-switch in the 65th minute and was booked shortly after for protesting a free-kick a little too vocally for the referee's liking. He’ll be as guttered as anybody to crash out though; he’ll have felt he had a point to prove to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the United faithful. AFP
  • SUB: Brahim Diaz, NR - Replaced Krunic in the 72nd minute as Milan looked to inject even more intensity. The ex-Manchester City man added some extra pace into the mix, but he didn’t really have too much of an impact. Reuters
    SUB: Brahim Diaz, NR - Replaced Krunic in the 72nd minute as Milan looked to inject even more intensity. The ex-Manchester City man added some extra pace into the mix, but he didn’t really have too much of an impact. Reuters
  • SUB: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 6 - One of the game’s biggest in character and stature, the towering Swede is quite simply made for these moments, but one generation was denied by another as the 39-year-old tested the reflexes of Henderson who made an excellent save from point-blank range. EPA
    SUB: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 6 - One of the game’s biggest in character and stature, the towering Swede is quite simply made for these moments, but one generation was denied by another as the 39-year-old tested the reflexes of Henderson who made an excellent save from point-blank range. EPA
  • MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Dean Henderson 8. Retained his place and was a huge influence. Best save in first half came after 40 minutes from Saelemaekers. Also made a fantastic stop at the back post from substitute Ibrahimovic and no late mishaps like in the first leg. EPA
    MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Dean Henderson 8. Retained his place and was a huge influence. Best save in first half came after 40 minutes from Saelemaekers. Also made a fantastic stop at the back post from substitute Ibrahimovic and no late mishaps like in the first leg. EPA
  • Aaron Wan-Bissaka 8. He blocks, he tackles. He plays week after week in a defence which has stopped conceding goals. Immense in the second half as his team had less possession but were still in control. Reuters
    Aaron Wan-Bissaka 8. He blocks, he tackles. He plays week after week in a defence which has stopped conceding goals. Immense in the second half as his team had less possession but were still in control. Reuters
  • Victor Lindelof 8. His positioning and distribution along with that of Maguire was vital to create smart overloads against Milan’s forwards. Super tackle on Castillejo when the Spaniard was one-on-one with him. Man of the match. Reuters
    Victor Lindelof 8. His positioning and distribution along with that of Maguire was vital to create smart overloads against Milan’s forwards. Super tackle on Castillejo when the Spaniard was one-on-one with him. Man of the match. Reuters
  • Harry Maguire 8. Key to United’s plans with Lindelof and the pair needed to do this to help break Milan down and create chances. Always vocal. Took one for the team with a shot to his head … but bounced straight back up. Reuters
    Harry Maguire 8. Key to United’s plans with Lindelof and the pair needed to do this to help break Milan down and create chances. Always vocal. Took one for the team with a shot to his head … but bounced straight back up. Reuters
  • Luke Shaw 7. He’s no Maldini, but he’s having his best season in a United shirt and was comfortable. Also a threat in attack as he increasingly pushed forward. Booked. EPA
    Luke Shaw 7. He’s no Maldini, but he’s having his best season in a United shirt and was comfortable. Also a threat in attack as he increasingly pushed forward. Booked. EPA
  • Scott McTominay 7. Sprinted back to check a Milan attack when the defence was outnumbered but Milan’s pressure wasn’t as intense as the first leg, nor what United expected. That was because McTominay and Fred helped control the game and defended when needed. Nervy moment as he stuck a foot out to stop a dangerous Milan pass – and the ball deflected towards Henderson. Reuters
    Scott McTominay 7. Sprinted back to check a Milan attack when the defence was outnumbered but Milan’s pressure wasn’t as intense as the first leg, nor what United expected. That was because McTominay and Fred helped control the game and defended when needed. Nervy moment as he stuck a foot out to stop a dangerous Milan pass – and the ball deflected towards Henderson. Reuters
  • Fred 8. Big influence. Milan went man on man pressure across the back and in the middle, meaning United needed to play third man runs behind them – as United did against Leeds in December. Shot tamely on target after 25. Reuters
    Fred 8. Big influence. Milan went man on man pressure across the back and in the middle, meaning United needed to play third man runs behind them – as United did against Leeds in December. Shot tamely on target after 25. Reuters
  • Daniel James 6. Ran forward with Greenwood shouting ‘DJ! DJ!’ for the ball to be squared. It wasn’t. Busy down the right but final ball lacking – though his passing accuracy was only bettered by Lindelof. Must improve if United are to move up a level. Reuters
    Daniel James 6. Ran forward with Greenwood shouting ‘DJ! DJ!’ for the ball to be squared. It wasn’t. Busy down the right but final ball lacking – though his passing accuracy was only bettered by Lindelof. Must improve if United are to move up a level. Reuters
  • Bruno Fernandes 5. Shot over in United’s first real chance. Frustrated as he mishit a 24th minute pass. Took risks and tried to create magic. Key pass before Pogba’s goal but not a night he’ll remember as one of his best. Reuters
    Bruno Fernandes 5. Shot over in United’s first real chance. Frustrated as he mishit a 24th minute pass. Took risks and tried to create magic. Key pass before Pogba’s goal but not a night he’ll remember as one of his best. Reuters
  • Marcus Rashford 6. Went off after a quiet first half when United underwhelmed. Looked like he’d come back from injury too soon. EPA
    Marcus Rashford 6. Went off after a quiet first half when United underwhelmed. Looked like he’d come back from injury too soon. EPA
  • Mason Greenwood 6. Chosen up front given the absence of Martial. Very early chance from a James cross and got into the right positions in the first half but working off poor service. He’s playing well, he’s just not scoring. Reuters
    Mason Greenwood 6. Chosen up front given the absence of Martial. Very early chance from a James cross and got into the right positions in the first half but working off poor service. He’s playing well, he’s just not scoring. Reuters
  • SUB: Paul Pogba 8. Came on at half time for Marcus Rashford after six weeks out and changed the goal after three minutes with a clever feint. Played on the left and looked sharp. Game changer. Reuters
    SUB: Paul Pogba 8. Came on at half time for Marcus Rashford after six weeks out and changed the goal after three minutes with a clever feint. Played on the left and looked sharp. Game changer. Reuters

Football

AC Milan v Manchester United player ratings: Victor Lindelof gets the better of Zlatan Ibrahimovic; Paul Pogba the game changer

Super-sub Pogba scores goals that sends United through to Europa League quarter-finals

Liam Wheeler and Andy Mitten

March 19, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Manchester United reached the Europa League quarter-finals after a brilliantly-taken Paul Pogba goal earned them a 1-0 win at AC Milan to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory in their last-16 tie on Thursday.

Pogba came off the bench at half time to make his first appearance for United since sustaining a thigh injury on February 6, and the France midfielder needed only three minutes to score a fine goal.

Former United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic came on as a substitute to try to drag Milan back into the match, and he almost equalised in the 74th minute but was denied by a good save from the visitors' goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

Milan applied plenty of late pressure but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side held on to remain in the hunt to win their first trophy since a Europa League success under Jose Mourinho in 2017.

"We have come through a very difficult tie against a very good team," Solskjaer told BT Sport.

"Anything can happen in cup competitions, but we are through, we are confident and looking forward to the draw."

Manchester UnitedAC Milan