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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took Paul Pogba off the bench at halftime at the San Siro and the World Cup winner took less than three minutes to reach the minutes as Manchester United defeated AC Milan and advanced to the quarter-finals of Europe. League 2-1 in total.
Simon Kjaer’s stoppage time draw at Old Trafford last week left the second leg of this round of 16 encounter between these European heavyweights fascinatingly balanced.
Pogba missed the first leg during a 40-day absence with a thigh injury and made a timely comeback, with the clever goal from the French midfielder in the 48th minute, a blow to the stomach for Milan, who had been shown confident during a cautious opening period in which United struggled to prevail.
Pogba’s introduction proved to be the catalyst and he scored from close range with a center form, prompting Milan to turn to former United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the bench.
Dean Henderson made amends for letting Kjaer’s leveler in last week by magnificently denying the 39-year-old as the Red Devils held out to keep their hopes of Europa League glory alive.
FULL MATCH DETAILS
Solskjaer’s unchanged squad started off on the front foot in the empty stadium, where Milan were happy to sit deep in an attempt to nullify the visitors’ counterattack prowess.
Bruno Fernandes was dazzled after a fine play by Luke Shaw on a rare first-half opportunity for United, whose winger Daniel James went down screaming for a penalty in a rare flurry behind.
The Wales midfielder was rejected in the area by Fikayo Tomori’s recovery tackle and referee Felix Brych saw nothing wrong with it.
Milan grew as a threat as the opening period progressed and took control against the increasingly neglected United.
Harry Maguire launched a timely challenge to stop a good run from Theo Hernandez and Victor Lindelof had to make a key tackle on Franck Kessie after a back pass from Fernandes.
Milan kept knocking on the door as the break drew near.
The orderly build-up led Alexis Saelemaekers to deflect a shot Henderson could only stop, with Rade Krunic heading out under pressure at the half-time break.
Solskjaer turned to Pogba instead of Marcus Rashford at halftime in an attempt to change the dynamics, an alteration that paid dividends within three minutes of his presentation.
James saw a blocked shot to initiate a melee into the penalty area in which United remained calm, with Fred’s tenacious pressure on Soualiho Meite directing the ball to be pushed towards Pogba.
Five yards out but at a sharp angle, he formed to cross only to pass Gianluigi Donnarumma at the first post.
Henderson stopped Saelemaekers ‘immediate attempt to equalize as the goal opened the game, with Pogba underscoring the visitors’ renewed belief in trying to score from his own half.
The France midfielder provoked a much improved display in the second half, prompting Stefano Pioli to introduce Ibrahimovic and United side on loan Diogo Dalot.
Milan were desperately trying to open United’s back line and Lindelof lunged in front of a shot from Kessie, who looked wide before Ibrahimovic went head-to-goal.
The veteran star soared above Shaw to find a cross from the left from Hakan Calhanoglu, only for Henderson to produce a great save from his header near the post in the 74th minute.
Fernandes tried his luck with a long-distance free kick when Milan appealed for all they could, and Scott McTominay reached out to direct a dangerous ball back to Henderson.
Pogba headed over a James cross and Fernandes saw a deflected attempt as the clock ticked on, and United kept their heads to secure their place in Friday’s Europa League quarter-final draw.
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