Manchester United 1-1 Milan: Player ratings as late Simon Kjaer goal denies Red Devils

Simon Kjaer's late header denied Manchester United a crucial lead at the halfway stage of their Europa League last 16 tie with Milan, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.

The visitors twice had the ball in the net in the opening 13 minutes, though United were offered a reprieve on both occasions as Rafael Leao's effort was flagged offside and Franck Kessie's brilliant half-volley was ruled out for handball following a VAR check.

After an underwhelming first-half display, Solskjaer introduced Amad Diallo at half-time and it didn't take long for the youngster to make an impact.

Latching onto a floated ball over the top from Bruno Fernandes, the 18-year-old produced a sublime backwards header to loop the ball over Gianluigi Donnarumma and hand his side the lead.

Milan pushed for an equaliser and they were rewarded late on, with Kjaer's powerful header slipping through the hands of Dean Henderson.

Here are your Manchester United and Milan player ratings from Old Trafford...

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Dean Henderson (GK) - 5/10 - Continued to deputise in the absence of David de Gea. Performed well in the pouring Manchester rain but should have done better for Kjaer's late header.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB) - 6/10 - Perhaps lucky not to concede a penalty in the second half after some rather hands-on defending, but on the whole his performance was solid.

Eric Bailly (CB) - 6/10 - Stepped into the channels when needed and matched the busy Leao stride for stride when isolated against the frontman.

Harry Maguire (CB) - 5/10 - Had a free-kick from his own team fired at his head before missing an open goal from a yard out just a few seconds later. The rest of his performance was alright but we couldn't not mention those highlights.

Alex Telles (LB) - 5/10 - Did his best to offer some enthusiasm down the United left but his final ball was poor.

2. Midfielders

Scott McTominay (CM) - 6/10 - Tried to force the issue as Milan started to take control, but some of his early passing was too slow and wayward. Looked better in the second half as United started to get to grips with their opponents.

Nemanja Matic (CM) - 7/10 - Shielded the ball brilliantly at times and used all of his experience to settle down the play in United's midfield.

Bruno Fernandes (AM) - 7/10 - Found himself being man-marked by at least one of the Milan midfielders. Eventually broke the shackles as he picked out the run of Diallo brilliantly and the youngster handed United the lead.

3. Forwards

Daniel James (RW) - 5/10 - Kept his place in the United starting XI after a couple of good recent performances. Was busy but very ineffective on the whole.

Anthony Martial (ST) - 5/10 - Cut a frustrated figure for much of the first half. Really didn't have the desired impact and was hooked at half time.

Mason Greenwood (LW) - 6/10 - Started dropping deeper and deeper in a bid to influence proceedings but he struggled to get on the ball. Moved into a central position after Martial was taken off but he just found himself being swallowed up by the Milan backline.

4. Substitutes

Amad Diallo - 7/10 - Registered his first United goal with a spinning header, his first shot on target for the club. A dream debut and there's evidently more to come from the youngster.

Fred - 6/10

Luke Shaw - 6/10

Brandon Williams - 6/10

MILAN RATINGS

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) - 6/10 - Showed great anticipation to move off his line and stifle a number of United attacks. Completely outfoxed by Diallo for the United opener.

Davide Calabria (RB) - 6/10 - There was plenty of space in behind Telles to be exploited but he just couldn't do so. Replaced by Pierre Kalulu as Stefano Pioli looked to stretch the game.

Fikayo Tomori (CB) - 5/10 - Looked comfortable with the ball at his feet and was a huge part of his side's attempts to build play from the back. Caught out by the run of Diallo for the United opener.

Simon Kjaer (CB) - 8/10 - Stuck to Anthony Martial throughout the first half and didn't give the Frenchman a kick. Given a different type of task as Mason Greenwood moved into a central role in the second half, but he again coped brilliantly. Capped his performance with a great header late on.

Diogo Dalot (LB) - 7/10 - Eligible to play against his parent club as per Europa League rules. Whipped in a couple of devilish crosses but the Milan forwards just couldn't latch onto them.

6. Midfielders

Franck Kessie (CM) - 8/10 - Unlucky to see his superb half-volley ruled out for handball. Was the driving force in the middle of the park for the visitors, picking up every loose ball and carrying the threat to United.

Rade Krunic (CM) - 7/10 - Showed lovely quick feet on a number of occasions as he looked to forge himself a yard of space in a congested midfield.

Soualiho Meite (CM) - 7/10 - Tracked the runs of Alex Telles whenever the full-back looked to venture forward. Helped balance out the midfield on the Milan right and was combative throughout the game.

7. Forwards

Alexis Saelemaekers (RW) - 6/10 - An industrious display in which he was a little overzealous at times in his defensive work. Taken off in the second half to avoid a second booking.

Rafael Leao (ST) - 7/10 - Looked to stretch the United backline and caused them problems with his pace and movement. His linkup play let him down at times but he was a handful all evening.

Brahim Diaz (LW) - 6/10 - Constantly finding little pockets of space and the United defenders couldn't get near him at times. Couldn't sustain his level of performance and was taken off with 20 minutes to play.

8. Substitutes

Sandro Tonali - 6/10

Samuel Castillejo - 6/10

Pierre Kalulu - 5/10