AMAD FOR IT!
TEENAGER DIALLO OPENS UNITED ACCOUNT BUT MILAN SNATCH LAST-GASP LEVELLER
TEENAGE substitute Amad Diallo opened his Manchester United account in style last night 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 European heavyweights produced drama in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford and set up an intriguing return fixture at the San Siro next week.
Half-time substitute Diallo, the 18year-old signed from Atalanta in January for an initial £18million, was picked out by a superb lofted pass from Bruno Fernandes and scored with a looping, 50th-minute header.
It appeared to be enough to secure a hard-fought first-leg win but Kjaer’s last-gasp effort, which should have been kept out by goalkeeper Dean Henderson, capitalised on United’s inability to defend set-pieces.
In truth, Solskjaer’s side would have been fortunate to go to Italy in front as Milan outplayed the hosts for large periods. Harry
Maguire hit the post but United looked a shell of the team that won at Manchester City on Sunday and Franck Kessie was denied an early opener when the video assistant referee contentiously ruled he had handled. Rafael Leao saw a fifth-minute strike ruled out for offside, although there was nothing controversial about that one.
Milan deserved this result as they impressed despite being without former United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Theo Hernandez and Ante Rebic.
Stefano Pioli’s men will be happy to return to Italy with an away goal and the late lapse in concentration may yet prove damaging for United.
‘Very disappointed to concede with one of the last kicks of the ball, or head,’ said Solskjaer. ‘That’s the learning we have to get into ourselves, we have to perform every single week.’