OLE A BAWL BOY
It was the ball’s fault says Solskjaer
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER blamed the ball last night after Anthony Martial spared Manchester United’s blushes. Martial’s first-half strike gave United a valuable away goal in this Europa League last-32 tie ahead of next Thursday’s return leg at Old Trafford, after hosts Bruges had taken a shock 15th-minute lead.TURN
“The ball is different and difficult to play with,” said Solskjaer, who claimed the Molten Europa League ball did United few favours in the driving rain and freezing wind against the
ANTHONY MARTIAL came to Manchester United’s rescue with a precious away goal as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side toiled in Bruges.
Martial’s 14th goal of the season and his second in as many games salvaged United a draw and gave them the edge ahead of next Thursday’s home return leg.
United goalkeeper Sergio Romero, below, was ultimately grateful to Martial, whose goal spared the Argentinian further scrutiny and criticism for his error which gifted Bruges the lead.
After their impressive 2-0 win at Chelsea on Monday, it was another case of one step forward, two steps back for United, who lacked fluency and conviction against the Belgian league leaders.
Solskjaer made six changes from the side that was so convincing at Stamford Bridge, the personnel reshuffle failing to come off as United struggled in swirling rain and bitingly cold wind.
The first chance of fell to United after 13 minutes, Andreas Pereira forcing a save at full-stretch from Bruges keeper Simon Mignolet, who turned away his shot from the edge of the area.
Just over a minute later and the hosts were in front, gifted the opener thanks to wretched defending and goalkeeping.
Mignolet’s long punt forward should have been dealt with by Brandon Williams, Diogo Dalot and Romero, but the United trio were all over the place.
Romero was not quick enough off his line, Williams and Dalot were too slow to react, leaving Bruges striker Emmanuel Dennis to execute a perfect lob into the United net.
It was a soft goal to concede and one which infuriated Solskjaer.
Bruges continued to test United’s vulnerability at the back, Dennis going close to making it 2-0 just before the half-hour mark with an angled effort saved by Romero. United got back on terms in the 36th minute, Martial punishing a moment of uncertainty from Bruges defender Brandon Mechele to plunder the leveller.
Mechele was too casual in receiving a throw-in, letting Martial in to get to the ball, the United forward showing great strength and determination before scoring past Mignolet with an assured finish.
Mignolet was in goal for Liverpool in 2015 when Martial scored on his United debut. Until Martial’s goal, United had managed just one touch in the Bruges area, proof of their ineffectiveness going forward, with few positives to take from a miserable first half. Martial could have put United ahead just before the break but his thunderous long-range left-foot strike, which beat Mignolet, thudded off a post and away to safety.
Despite equalising, United continued to labour in the second half, with Solskjaer replacing Martial with on-loan signing Odion Ighalo in the 67th minute.
Bruges had a chance to restore their lead in the 75th minute, Dennis crossing for Odilon Kossounou but he scuffed his closerange effort, sending it wide.
BRUGES (4-3-3): Mignolet 6; Mata 5, Kossounou 4, Mechele 4, Deli 5; Rits 6, Balanta 5 (Vormer 47, 5), Vanaken 6; Dennis 7, Tau 6 (Ketelaere 61, 5), De Cuyper 5 (Schrijvers 73). Goal: Dennis 15.
MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-2-1): Romero 5; Lindelof 5, Maguire 6, Shaw 5; Dalot 4 (Fernandes, 80), Matic 5, Pereira 4 (Fred 70, 5), Williams 5; Mata 5, Lingard 4; Martial 7 (Ighalo 67, 5). Goal: Martial 36.