Pogba Lifts Man United In Europa League Win Over AC Milan
Paul Pogba came off the Manchester United bench to pounce on a defensive error, as Milan were simply unable to overcome the injury crisis, and exit the Europa League.
The first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 ended 1-1 at Old Trafford last week and the injury crisis was beginning to ease for both sides. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Theo Hernandez and Hakan Calhanoglu returned, although Ante Rebic, Rafael Leao, Alessio Romagnoli, Davide Calabria and Mario Mandzukic were ruled out. Ibra was the only available striker, himself coming back from two weeks out with an adductor strain. United missed Edinson Cavani, Eric Bailly and Anthony Martial, but Paul Pogba, Donny van de Beek and Marcus Rashford returned, albeit only the striker from the start.
It was a very aggressive Manchester United start, in their unusual black and white kit, but Franck Kessie had the first shot on target from distance.
Fikayo Tomori had to make a good tackle on Daniel James in the penalty area, while Hakan Calhanoglu shinned his finish after a poor Aaron Wan-Bissaka clearance.
Victor Lindelof made a decisive sliding tackle on Kessie when sent clear by Castillejo and Dean Henderson beat away an Alexis Saelemaekers scorcher.
With the last kick of the half, Milan again went very close, but rather than complete the passing move with Calhanoglu, Rade Krunic volleyed wide under pressure from 12 yards.
Paul Pogba made his comeback after six weeks out and within four minutes had scored a goal. It was a mad scramble in the Milan box, Soualiho Meite failed to make the clearance and Pogba fired into the roof of the net from six yards.
That put Manchester United ahead on the night and on aggregate, with an away goal. Saelemaekers sprung the offside trap for his angled drive to force a one-handed save from Henderson, while Lindelof made a decisive block on Kessie.
Ibrahimovic rose to meet a Calhanoglu cross, his towering header punched out from under the bar by Henderson from close range.
Pogba’s header also landed on the roof of the net, but the Rossoneri were visibly exhausted and lacking in options.
Milan 0-1 Man Utd (1-2 agg)
Pogba 49 (MU)
Milan: G Donnarumma; Kalulu (Dalot 65), Kjaer, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Meite, Kessie; Saelemaekers, Calhanoglu, Krunic (Brahim Diaz 72); Castillejo (Ibrahimovic 65)
Manchester United: Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes, James; Rashford (Pogba 46)