• MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Dean Henderson - 5: Beat away several first-half Milan efforts, the best from Saelemaekers. Looked to be heading for another clean sheet, but poor for their goal and that’s what he’ll be remembered on this occasion. He’s done well overall since coming in for De Gea, but that was his first mistake. Getty
    MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Dean Henderson - 5: Beat away several first-half Milan efforts, the best from Saelemaekers. Looked to be heading for another clean sheet, but poor for their goal and that’s what he’ll be remembered on this occasion. He’s done well overall since coming in for De Gea, but that was his first mistake. Getty
  • Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 6: Scarcely involved in the first half. Beaten by Krunic in another Milan attack which they couldn’t capitalise on. Reuters
    Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 6: Scarcely involved in the first half. Beaten by Krunic in another Milan attack which they couldn’t capitalise on. Reuters
  • Eric Bailly - 6: Did OK. Defence dropped too deep for Milan’s goal – and paid for it. Getty
    Eric Bailly - 6: Did OK. Defence dropped too deep for Milan’s goal – and paid for it. Getty
  • Harry Maguire - 6: Missed sitter in first half when he shinned the ball onto the back post from a Telles’ cross from two yards out. Vocal in telling his teammates to stop giving the ball away but as he said after “I should have scored, but that’s why I’m a defender and not a forward.” AFP
    Harry Maguire - 6: Missed sitter in first half when he shinned the ball onto the back post from a Telles’ cross from two yards out. Vocal in telling his teammates to stop giving the ball away but as he said after “I should have scored, but that’s why I’m a defender and not a forward.” AFP
  • Alex Telles - 7: Understudy to Luke Shaw, but dependable and lively. Overhit a freekick, crossed to Maguire. Shifted to back three as United switched tactics in the heavy rain. Held firm under Milan pressure … until the late blow. AFP
    Alex Telles - 7: Understudy to Luke Shaw, but dependable and lively. Overhit a freekick, crossed to Maguire. Shifted to back three as United switched tactics in the heavy rain. Held firm under Milan pressure … until the late blow. AFP
  • Scott McTominay - 6: Switched play and found Fernandes with one fine first-half pass but didn’t control game in first. Booked and then very fortunate to stay on the field for another foul on in last 10 minutes against an injury-hit Milan side. Getty
    Scott McTominay - 6: Switched play and found Fernandes with one fine first-half pass but didn’t control game in first. Booked and then very fortunate to stay on the field for another foul on in last 10 minutes against an injury-hit Milan side. Getty
  • Nemanja Matic - 6: Slow in possession in the first half. Blocked a shot from Dias and effective in tight areas, but United need far more tempo and intensity in the second leg. EPA
    Nemanja Matic - 6: Slow in possession in the first half. Blocked a shot from Dias and effective in tight areas, but United need far more tempo and intensity in the second leg. EPA
  • Daniel James - 6: Like his team, came alive at the start of the second half. Couldn’t get his feet ready to put the ball into an open goal from a Greenwood cross on the fast, wet surface. Should have done better with that one. AFP
    Daniel James - 6: Like his team, came alive at the start of the second half. Couldn’t get his feet ready to put the ball into an open goal from a Greenwood cross on the fast, wet surface. Should have done better with that one. AFP
  • Bruno Fernandes - 7: Struggled to find space between Milan’s lines in the first half. Flicked a header towards Maguire from which the defender should have scored. Ball in behind the opposition defence which dropped in for Amad was moment of the match. Came off in last 20 minutes, thinking his work was done. If only. AP
    Bruno Fernandes - 7: Struggled to find space between Milan’s lines in the first half. Flicked a header towards Maguire from which the defender should have scored. Ball in behind the opposition defence which dropped in for Amad was moment of the match. Came off in last 20 minutes, thinking his work was done. If only. AP
  • Anthony Martial - 5: No repeat of his best performance of the season in Sunday’s Manchester derby. Wonderful strike on eight minutes, but little else in the first half against a superior Milan. Needs to be back on-form in the second leg. EPA
    Anthony Martial - 5: No repeat of his best performance of the season in Sunday’s Manchester derby. Wonderful strike on eight minutes, but little else in the first half against a superior Milan. Needs to be back on-form in the second leg. EPA
  • Mason Greenwood - 5: Quiet first half. Moved to centre-forward after half time after Martial went off and was better for it as United improved. Clever cross for James but while service to him was poor, centre-forwards for Manchester United really need to be having shots on target in games at Old Trafford. Greenwood didn’t have one. AFP
    Mason Greenwood - 5: Quiet first half. Moved to centre-forward after half time after Martial went off and was better for it as United improved. Clever cross for James but while service to him was poor, centre-forwards for Manchester United really need to be having shots on target in games at Old Trafford. Greenwood didn’t have one. AFP
  • SUBS: Amad Diallo - (On for Martial 46') 7: Went right side of attack and scored in less than three minutes. Perfect run onto Fernandes' pass to make a back header over the goalkeeper and give United the lead. Incredible start and taken with such confidence for his first ever United goal. AFP
    SUBS: Amad Diallo - (On for Martial 46') 7: Went right side of attack and scored in less than three minutes. Perfect run onto Fernandes' pass to make a back header over the goalkeeper and give United the lead. Incredible start and taken with such confidence for his first ever United goal. AFP
  • Brandon Williams - (On for Wan-Bissaka 74') 5: Made an impact in Europa League last season, but now more peripheral. AFP
    Brandon Williams - (On for Wan-Bissaka 74') 5: Made an impact in Europa League last season, but now more peripheral. AFP
  • Fred - (On for Fernandes 73') 5: Brought on as United went defensive to try and keep out Milan. Getty
    Fred - (On for Fernandes 73') 5: Brought on as United went defensive to try and keep out Milan. Getty
  • Luke Shaw - (On for James 74') 5: Man of the moment came on as a central defender, then shifted left as United changed tactics to try and hold onto the lead. It didn’t work. Reuters
    Luke Shaw - (On for James 74') 5: Man of the moment came on as a central defender, then shifted left as United changed tactics to try and hold onto the lead. It didn’t work. Reuters
  • AC MILAN RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma - 6: Called into action early on when he tipped Anthony Martial’s ambitious effort over the bar. Later palmed away a low James cross with an out-stretched arm, although the offside flag went up anyway, but was beaten all end’s up by Diallo’s fabulous header. Reuters
    AC MILAN RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma - 6: Called into action early on when he tipped Anthony Martial’s ambitious effort over the bar. Later palmed away a low James cross with an out-stretched arm, although the offside flag went up anyway, but was beaten all end’s up by Diallo’s fabulous header. Reuters
  • Davide Calabria - 7: A lung-busting evening’s work from the Italy international who surged forward at every opportunity as Milan looked to take the game to the home side. He showed he had the legs at the other end too when he charged after the rapid James to rescue what looked like a dangerous situation. Reuters
    Davide Calabria - 7: A lung-busting evening’s work from the Italy international who surged forward at every opportunity as Milan looked to take the game to the home side. He showed he had the legs at the other end too when he charged after the rapid James to rescue what looked like a dangerous situation. Reuters
  • Simon Kjaer - 7: The experienced Dane often proved too strong for Martial and he easily shrugged the Frenchman off the ball as he looked to dart in behind. He couldn’t stop the excellent run of Diallo to finally break the deadlock, but he headed in a dramatic leveller in stoppage time. EPA
    Simon Kjaer - 7: The experienced Dane often proved too strong for Martial and he easily shrugged the Frenchman off the ball as he looked to dart in behind. He couldn’t stop the excellent run of Diallo to finally break the deadlock, but he headed in a dramatic leveller in stoppage time. EPA
  • Fikayo Tomori - 7: On-loan Chelsea defender Tomori caught the eye with a fine display for the Blues at Ajax early last season and was largely untroubled in this contest. He was caught out by Diallo’s perfectly-timed run, but he stopped Greenwood in his tracks with one excellent last-ditch tackle. EPA
    Fikayo Tomori - 7: On-loan Chelsea defender Tomori caught the eye with a fine display for the Blues at Ajax early last season and was largely untroubled in this contest. He was caught out by Diallo’s perfectly-timed run, but he stopped Greenwood in his tracks with one excellent last-ditch tackle. EPA
  • Diogo Dalot - 7: Started against his parent club in an intriguing addition to an already fascinating encounter and produced a couple of dangerous crosses from the left, including a fizzed effort that was blocked by McTominay. Getty
    Diogo Dalot - 7: Started against his parent club in an intriguing addition to an already fascinating encounter and produced a couple of dangerous crosses from the left, including a fizzed effort that was blocked by McTominay. Getty
  • Soualiho Meite - 6: Another Milan loan signing, was steady first-half but struggled to contain the impressive Fernandes after the break as United started to enjoy more success in spells. Reuters
    Soualiho Meite - 6: Another Milan loan signing, was steady first-half but struggled to contain the impressive Fernandes after the break as United started to enjoy more success in spells. Reuters
  • Franck Kessie - 8: A rock in the middle of the park. Was at the heart of Milan’s best attacking play and rifled a spectacular effort beyond the leap of Henderson and into the corner, only for VAR to chalk off the goal again, this time for handball. Looked very harsh. Reuters
    Franck Kessie - 8: A rock in the middle of the park. Was at the heart of Milan’s best attacking play and rifled a spectacular effort beyond the leap of Henderson and into the corner, only for VAR to chalk off the goal again, this time for handball. Looked very harsh. Reuters
  • Alexis Saelemaekers - 8: A tenacious performance in midfield. Picked up a slightly harsh booking inside just 16 minutes when Telles took a tumble. Moments earlier, he almost found Tomori who couldn’t quite connect with the Belgian’s searching ball across goal. Asked questions of the United defence throughout. AFP
    Alexis Saelemaekers - 8: A tenacious performance in midfield. Picked up a slightly harsh booking inside just 16 minutes when Telles took a tumble. Moments earlier, he almost found Tomori who couldn’t quite connect with the Belgian’s searching ball across goal. Asked questions of the United defence throughout. AFP
  • Brahim Diaz - 7: A lively start from the ex-Manchester City man who is proving to be another crafty loan signing. He unpicked United’s defence when he cleverly slipped in Calabria, but the defender couldn't get a shot away. Withdrawn for the final 20 minutes after a quieter second half. Reuters
    Brahim Diaz - 7: A lively start from the ex-Manchester City man who is proving to be another crafty loan signing. He unpicked United’s defence when he cleverly slipped in Calabria, but the defender couldn't get a shot away. Withdrawn for the final 20 minutes after a quieter second half. Reuters
  • Rade Krunic - 7: Put himself in all the right areas but his finishing was wasteful. Saw a first-half effort deflect into the thankful arms of Henderson when he probably should have hit it first time; and his reaction suggested he knew it too. Blazed a decent chance over after the restart before impressively getting a yard on Wan-Bissaka, only to power his header wide. AP
    Rade Krunic - 7: Put himself in all the right areas but his finishing was wasteful. Saw a first-half effort deflect into the thankful arms of Henderson when he probably should have hit it first time; and his reaction suggested he knew it too. Blazed a decent chance over after the restart before impressively getting a yard on Wan-Bissaka, only to power his header wide. AP
  • Rafael Leao - 6: Issued the hosts an early warning when he raced onto Calabria’s punt over the top before smashing past Henderson, but United were bailed out by the offside flag. He let the hosts off the hook again late on with a complete air shot when he went for the glory finish. AFP
    Rafael Leao - 6: Issued the hosts an early warning when he raced onto Calabria’s punt over the top before smashing past Henderson, but United were bailed out by the offside flag. He let the hosts off the hook again late on with a complete air shot when he went for the glory finish. AFP
  • SUBS: Sandro Tonali (On for Diaz 69') 6: Exciting 20-year-old prospect didn’t manage to make much of an impact, although he did manage to wind up Shaw when he hit the deck a little theatrically. Reuters
    SUBS: Sandro Tonali (On for Diaz 69') 6: Exciting 20-year-old prospect didn’t manage to make much of an impact, although he did manage to wind up Shaw when he hit the deck a little theatrically. Reuters
  • Samu Castillejo - (On for Saelemaekers 69') 5: Didn't see much of the ball and made little impact. Getty
    Samu Castillejo - (On for Saelemaekers 69') 5: Didn't see much of the ball and made little impact. Getty
  • Pierre Kalulu - (On for Calabria 74' 6: An energetic cameo from the young defender. Getty
    Pierre Kalulu - (On for Calabria 74' 6: An energetic cameo from the young defender. Getty

Football

Manchester United v AC Milan ratings: Dean Henderson 5, Amad Diallo 7; Simon Kjaer 7, Franck Kessie 8

Honours even after Europa League first leg at Old Trafford

Andy Mitten
Liam Wheeler
Barcelona and Manchester

March 12, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Teenage substitute Amad Diallo opened his Manchester United account in style but Simon Kjaer's stoppage-time header denied Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men victory against AC Milan in the Europa League.

The eagerly-anticipated last-16 clash between these European heavyweights produced drama on Thursday night and set-up an interesting return fixture at San Siro next week.

Half-time substitute Diallo's superb, improvised header looked to have secured a hard-fought first-leg win at Old Trafford, only for Kjaer's last-gasp header to seal Milan a deserved 1-1 draw.

In truth, Solskjaer's side would have been fortunate to be going to Italy in the lead given how the absentee-hit Rossoneri outplayed the hosts for large periods. United looked a shell of the side that impressively won at Manchester City on Sunday

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: "That equaliser makes it harder but it was always going to be down to the second game. We were too slow with the possession, it is sometimes hard off the back of a game like Manchester City."

Milan manager Stefano Pioli was proud of his team's "amazing" spirit at Old Trafford. "We are working to grow and bring Milan back where we belong," said the Rossoneri boss, who was annoyed to see Franck Kessie's early opener ruled out for handball. "These are the best games in that sense, so I was happy to face a team like United.

"It was a great performance and a great result, but we need another perfect performance to qualify against such a strong team."

AC MilanManchester United