AC Milan 0, Manchester United 1 (UEFA Europa League; Man Utd win 2-1 on aggregate)
Paul Pogba scored as Manchester United squeezed through to the quarter finals of the Europa League at AC Milan with a 2-1 aggregate win.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Frenchman, back from injury, was called from the bench at half time for the injured Marcus Rashford and struck three minutes later after outfoxing Gianluigi Donnarumma with only his second goal in 31 appearances as a sub.
United put in a gritty performance to keep their hosts at bay to earn only their second win at the San Siro, with Dean Henderson saving well from Zlatan Ibrahimovic to keep a clean sheet on the night and see United home and dry.
Even with his high profile error at Old Trafford against Milan last week it was still Henderson’s 11th clean sheet in just 18 games for the Reds – on more than David De Gea has registered in 29 games this season.
And though De Gea was available, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stuck with Henderson and the rest of the team from the 1-0 win over West Ham on Sunday despite Henderson’s error against the Italians last week.
Solskjaer was understandably delighted that United had made it into the quarter final against a tough opponent, and said:
“I’m very happy of course, we’ve come through a very difficult tie against a fantastic club and a difficult team.”
The return of Paul Pogba was well timed to help them get past Milan, adding:
“We’ve missed Paul, he’s been out for almost two months and any club would miss him.
“He’ll give us a big boost for the rest of the season and made the difference for us tonight.”
Solskjaer also paid tribute to Dean Henderson, who vindicated his decision to play him over David De Gea with a match winning save from Ibrahimovic, adding: “Dean made a fantastic save from the big lad and everyone defended well for us.”
Pogba returned from injury to take a place on the bench alongside Donny van de Beek but there was no place in the squad for injured strikers Edinson Cavani or Anthony Martial.
Ex United striker Ibrahimovic was on the bench for the hosts alongside Diogo Dalot who played in the first leg, and ex-Man City midfielder Brahim Diaz as Milan made five changes in all to the weakened side that lost to Napoli at the weekend.
Milan were still without many of their big names and played without a recognised striker against United and didn’t look too ambitious in a tight early stage where the Italians were happy to play a highly tactical pressing game to frustrate the visitors.
And the Reds soon played into the Italians’ trap, unable to create much going forward even though they kept Milan at bay.
Bruno Fernandes blazed over after good work by Luke Shaw to set him up as United made a good start down their left flank.
Franck Kessie brought Dean Henderson into the action with a long range save.
Shaw kept trying to set up chances but found the Reds strikers reluctant to gamble on a burst into the box.
Daniel James was denied a penalty after he did burst into the box with Fikayo Tomori getting back to extend his boot out and push the ball away from the flying winger.
Harry Maguire made a fine tackle to dispossess Theo Hernandez as he looked to break through the United defensive line with the ball.
James’ speed was troubling Milan’s defence and Gianluigi Donnarumma had to come out of his area to intercept a ball forward for the Welsh international to run on to.
Lindelof had to poke the ball away from Kessie after a mistake allowed Milan to counter attack with Samu Castillejo finding the Ivorian midfielder in space.
Alexis Saelemaekers’ shot from 20 yards also produced a fine save from Henderson as Milan started to pass the ball quickly around the United box just before half time and finished the first half on top with a shot that flashed wide from Rade Krunic.
With just one shot on target in the first half, United still needed a goal to go through and Pogba was introduced for Rashford who made way after he appeared to feel an ankle injury before the break.
Paul Pogba comes on to score the winner at Mila; Dean Henderson saves from Zlatan Ibrahimovic to make sure of the win
And Pogba was on target within three minutes of the restart, stabbing home from close range into the roof of the net after a selling Donnarumma a dummy with Fred causing mayhem in the Milan area.
It was only his fifth goal of the season – his 9th goal in 80 European games – but it was at a stadium which he was very familiar with from his days in Italy with Juventus.
Krunic and Saelemaekers had shots saved by Henderson while Hakan Calhanoglu smashed a shot against Harry Maguire as United had something to hold on to while Greenwood had Donnarumma diving onto his shot.
Maguire was penalised for climbing on Simon Kjaer’s back when going for a corner with Milan still reeling from the goal set back.
Milan brought on the two players with specific knowledge of United – Ibrahimovic and Dalot – in the 65th minute for Castillejo and Pierre Kalulu to try and change Milan’s fortunes.
Kessie headed wide of the back post after meeting Calhanoglu’s cross from the right which went over Ibrahimovic’s head.
Brahim Diaz was brought on for Krunic with 18 minutes to go with Milan looking more desperate for the equaliser.
Ibrahimovic got above Shaw to head a Calhanoglu cross from the left goalwards but Henderson was there to save it – a massive chance for the home side.
The Swede was foiled by the offside flag several times in his efforts to get Milan back level
Fernandes tried a 40 yard speculative shot which was easy to save for Donnarumma who also jumped on an Aaron Wan-Bissaka cross.
McTominay put off Diaz’s shot before Pogba headed another meaty chance over after meeting James’ cross from the right as the Reds looked to keep Milan at arms length or end the tie with a second goal.
The Reds took control of the final few minutes at the San Siro to ensure there would be no late comebacks for Milan during the 5 minutes of added time.
GOAL – AC Milan 0, Manchester United 1 (UEFA Europa League; Man Utd win 2-1 on aggregate)
AC Milan 0, Man Utd 1: 48. Paul Pogba stabbed the ball into the roof of the net, dummying Gianluigi Donnarumma, after Fred had won the ball high to panic the Milan defence.
MATCH STATS – AC Milan 0, Manchester United 1 (UEFA Europa League; Man Utd win 2-1 on aggregate)
AC Milan: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Kalulu (Dalot 65), Kjaer, Tomori, Hernandez, Meite, Kessie, Castillejo (Ibrahimovic 65), Calhanoglu, Krunic (Diaz 72), Saelemaekers
AC Milan subs not used: Tatarusanu, Antonio Donnarumma, Bennacer, Tonali, Tonin, Gabbia
Bookings: Kalulu 65 (foul on Paul Pogba), Dalot, Kjaer 85 (foul on Fred); Hernandez (foul on Scott McTominay 90+5)
Man Utd: Henderson, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, James, Fernandes, Rashford (Pogba 46), Greenwood
Man Utd subs not used: De Gea, Grant, Diallo, Telles, Matic, Williams, van de Beek, Tuanzebe
Booking: Shaw 90+3
Goal: Pogba 48
Referee: Felix Brych