MANCHESTER – A stoppage-time header from defender Simon Kjaer earned AC Milan a 1-1 draw at Manchester United in their Europa League last-16 first-leg match at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Teenager Amad Diallo’s 50th-minute goal had put United ahead before Kjaer angled in a fine header from Rade Krunic’s corner in the final moments.
The draw was justice for Stefano Pioli’s Milan who had two goals ruled out in the opening 45 minutes as they opened up United with surprising ease.
The 18-year-old Diallo, who joined United from Serie A club Atalanta in January, came on as a halftime substitute and claimed his first goal for the English side five minutes later.
The Ivorian winger used clever movement to get behind the Milan defence, was picked out by a lofted ball from Bruno Fernandes and found the target with a smart back-header over Milan keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
United had been fortunate to go in level at the break. Rafael Leao had a fifth-minute effort ruled out for offside and then were very lucky when a Franck Kessie strike was ruled out for a questionable handball call by VAR.
United keeper Dean Henderson had to make several saves but the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side should have gone ahead in the 39th minute when Harry Maguire somehow hit the post from point-blank range at the back post.
Dan James missed another sitter after United had gone in front, turning Mason Greenwood’s cross wide when unmarked and five metres out.