Solskjaer draws comfort from class of teen ace Amad
■ United boss frustrated by Milan stalemate, while Mcgregor heroics boost Gers
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer was thrilled by the impact of super-sub Amad Diallo, but warned the teen sensation still has much to learn after his goal helped Manchester United earn a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie with AC Milan.
The 18-year-old Ivorian came off the bench at Old Trafford and scored his first goal for the Red Devils with a fine flicked header, only to see Simon Kjaer’s equaliser with practically the last play level proceedings ahead of next Thursday’s second leg at the San Siro.
Solskjaer was brimming with pride over the impact Amad had butwaskeentoplaydownexpectations around his young star.
“He’s creative, he plays with freedom. Amad, he’s been on the pitch before, but nice goal. He’s got lots to learn and he’ll be better off from having that,” praised the United chief.
“We’re very disappointed to concede with one of the last kicks of the ball, or head. That makes it harder of course, but it was always going to go down to the second game there anyway.”
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Allan Mcgregor played down his late wonder save after he rescued a 1-1 draw for Rangers at Slavia Prague in their first-leg clash.
The keeper made an outrageous one-handed stop to deny Lukas Masopust’s header with one minute remaining to keep the tie level going into the second leg after Filip Helander’s equaliser for Rangers cancelled out Nicolae Stanciu’s opener.
“It’s just one of those things, you react to it and hope it doesn’t go in. Happy days,” said Mcgregor. “I’ll tell you next Thursday if we’re happy with (the result). We have belief but we’re up against a good side so it will be difficult. But we go into every game wanting to win it.”
Elsewhere, Tottenham saw off Dinamo Zagreb 2-0, while Arsenalscoredtwolategoalstodefeat Olympiakos 3-1 in Greece.