Manchester United vs AC Milan Summary
Manchester United’s new starboy Amad Diallo grabbed all the headlines with his first goal in red and white. However, the defensive vulnerabilities of United took some of the special nature of this goal away from the Ivorian. As Italian side AC Milan got the equalizing goal in this Europa League Round of 16 first leg and United failed to get the win at home.
Milan were the better side for the majority of the first half. The Italian side had the goal in the back of the net on two occasions only for VAR to intervene. Franck Kessie’s sublime volley was harshly ruled out and this was a massive warning sign for the Red Devils.
After the break, Solskjaer’s men came out much stronger. Diallo, who replaced Martial at the break, got on the receiving end of a brilliant Bruno Fernandes pass. The 18- year-old found the back of a net with a sublime backwards header and the men in Red were ahead. Manchester United had several chances to kill the game off with the most notable falling to Daniel James and Harry Maguire. Maguire’s miss will go down as one of the biggest misses of the season as he couldn’t convert into an empty net. Simon Kjaer found the back of the United net deep into stoppage time and the goal was a reflection of Milan’s persistence throughout this first leg. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will know that his side have it all to do when the sides meet again in next week’s crucial second leg.
Manchester United vs AC Milan Player Ratings
Dean Henderson 3/10
Henderson couldn’t repeat his brilliance performance away to Manchester City. Instead, he cost United the three point with a costly error in stoppage time.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 7/10
Didn’t impact the game in an attacking sense, but was defensively solid throughout like usual.
Eric Bailly 8/10
Rock-solid at the back. Dealt with the Milan attacks with ease and great composure- terrific display.
Harry Maguire 6/10
Like Bailly, the United skipper was defensively solid. However his failure to convert from one yard out could cost United in the bigger picture.
Alex Telles 7/10
The Brazilian fullback had a quiet evening. His pinpoint crosses weren’t really effective after the break, due to the injury to Martial. He could have impacted the game more, but with United on the backfoot for the majority, defending was of greater importance.
Scott Mctominay 4/10
Didn’t impact the game in an offensive manner at all. As a result, Fernandes didn’t really get the supply he needed to create United attacks. Was also at fault for Milan’s equaliser as he gets blocked off too easily.
Nemanja Matic 5/10
Looked extremely rusty. Usually he break up attacks with aggressive interceptions and brings the ball forward to increase the tempo. Like his partner in midfield he didn’t get Fernandes on the ball whatsoever.
Mason Greenwood 5/10
Although he didn’t receive the ball in positions he would have wanted to, he should have brought himself into the game to a certain extent. Second half he was in his favourite number nine position and looked more lively without causing Milan many problems.
Bruno Fernandes 7/10
Where would United be without this man? Didn’t have the best of games but still had a major role in United’s goal. His over the top ball found Diallo for the goal and got a much needed breather when he was taken off late on.
Daniel James 5/10
Like Greenwood, James was lively throughout without causing Milan many major issues. He should have used his pace and directness more effectively to contribute to United attacks. Should have made it 2-0 when Greenwood found him in the Milan box.
Anthony Martial 6/10
Overall he played well for the time he was on the pitch. Unleashed a rocket of a volley in the first half, which came from an inviting Telles cross. Taken off at half time due to injury.
Substitutes:
Amad Diallo 8/10
The youngster came on at half time for Martial and made an immediate impact. Opened the scoring for United with an improvised header. Looked calm and assured at all times. Exciting times ahead for the 18-year-old.
Brandon Williams 6/10
Came on late in the game to play at right wing back. A very professional cameo.
Fred 4/10
The Brazilian known for his high energy and pressing was just simply not at it when he came on. Lost possession on multiple occasions and most costly in the build up to the Milan goal.
Luke Shaw 6/10
The inform man came on to play in front of Telles to provide extra defensive protection.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 5/10
The initial eleven was the strongest United had, due to injuries to many first team players. I think United fans thought that we might begin abit passive and then grown into the game. However, at times Milan were dictating the contest far too much. Solskjaer was bold in his decision to bring on Amad and this was an excellent decision. Also thought that his decision to rest Bruno and Wan-Bissaka was smart. But, his subs were extremely passive. There was no need to switch to a five at the back and invite extra pressure onto our shaky backline. Ultimately this cost us to a degree and the nature of this error will be evaluated more depending on whether United progress after next week’s tie.
Gigi Donnarumma 5/10
Quiet evening for the keeper but made an error for Diallo’s goal.
Davide Calabria 5/10
Average performance all round with a few too many fouls. Recovered well to deny Daniel James after an initial error.
Simon Kjaer 8/10
Solid performance throughout and got the all important away goal.
Fikayo Tomori 7/10
Didn’t track Diallo’s run and looked nervous in the opening exchanges. Grew into the game and made an excellent challenge on Greenwood in the second half.
Diogo Dalot 6/10
Eager to impress on his return to Old Trafford where he faced his parent club. Like his time at United he was promising in forward areas but didn’t have that killer last ball.
Rade Krunic 5/10
Didn’t see much of him on the night, but should have done much better with his effort in the second half. Will this be costly?
Franc Kessie 8/10
Ran the show in midfield with his natural physical strength and ball carrying ability. Had his goal harshly disallowed in the first half. His performance may have been made to appear to be much better than it was due to United’s midfield being non-existent at times.
Soualiho Meite 7/10
Kept Fernandes quiet for the majority and his reading of the game was simply sublime.
Alexis Saelemaekers 6/10
Was very lively off the ball and his movement caused United some issues. Made some very ill-timed challenges.
Brahim Diaz 6/10
Again he was a threat to United’s backline but his final product was significantly lacking.
Rafael Leao 6/10
Made some excellent runs but didn’t stay onside often enough. Should have tested Henderson late on but failed to connect with the ball.
Substitutes:
Sandro Tonali 6/10
Came on with 20 to go, saw alot of the ball and won some free- kicks.
Samu Castillejo 6/10
Didn’t have much time to impact the game and the play as the affair become very cagey in the late stages.
Pierre Kalulu N/A
Stefano Pioli 8/10
Set up his Milan side almsot perfectly. Dealt with the injury issues at the club much better than Solskjaer did. Their system was disciplined, but at the same time they took the game to United away from home. Dominated proceeding throughout the match, but there was a 15 minute period in the second half where his side were looked vulnerable. The Milan boss will be dissapointed that his side didn’t get the win, but will be ecstatic with the all important away goal.
