MU Lose Aggressive To Milan, Solskjaer: We Were Too Slow On The Ball

Looks disappointed Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (left) after his team was matched by AC Milan (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer highlighted the slow movement of Manchester United's players when they were matched by AC Milan 1-1 in the first leg of the Europa League last 16 at Old Trafford, Friday, March 12 in the morning.

Match statistics show the two teams' possession is quite balanced almost 50-50, but the Red Devils are less aggressive in terms of launching attacks.

Our account of tonight's draw at Old Trafford ⬇🔴 # MUFC🏆 #UEL

- Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 11, 2021

Compared to Milan which released 15 trials throughout the match, MU recorded only seven attempts, two of which met targets.

Of the many occasions, only one scored when young talent Amad Diallo found the visitors' goal five minutes into the second half. Unfortunately that advantage disappeared at the end of the match due to Simon Kjaer's goal through Milan's final attack.

we are Manchester and we will fight for another 90 minutes💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/z8NjqXNdOU

- Amad🇨🇮 (@ Amaddiallo_19) March 11, 2021

Kjaer welcomed Rade Krunic's free kick which goalkeeper Dean Henderson could have anticipated, but the ball was unstoppable into the net.

"Of course we are very disappointed to concede from one of the last chances of the match," Solskjaer said in a post-match interview with BT Sport as quoted by Antara from the official UEFA website.

"I saw Henderson save him, but the structure that made us lose. The defensive line was too deep and it was difficult to get out of the pressure. We should immediately anticipate the ball with the players who were there," he added.

Solskjaer called this draw a valuable lesson for MU, who will then travel to the San Siro for the second leg in a week.

The Norwegian coach also emphasized that the fate of MU and Milan will only be determined in the second leg later.

Ole reacts to our 1-1 draw at Old Trafford and reserves special praise for our goalscorer, @ AmadDiallo_19 💬🔴 # MUFC🏆 #UEL

- Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 11, 2021

"We were too slow with the ball. This is a lesson that we have to keep up every week. We played against a good team, a draw feels fair," he said.

"Of course this makes things more difficult for us, but in the end everything will be decided in the second leg," concluded Solskjaer.