There are times where Solskjaer does himself no favours with the handling of injured players and this is another. Rashford was rushed back at the weekend and it has backfired with his withdrawal tonight.
You would have thought maybe Fred or McTominay would have been repalced for Pogba, but both are still on, with Pogba starting on the left. It is safe to say the McTominay-Fred call was not the correct one. Solskjaer has really mismanaged the midfield in Pogba’s absence. He has not tried anything different and it has always been two of Fred, McTominay and Matic, which is risk-aversive at the best of times.
In the case of tonight’s game, United need to go on the attack, need to score and have mustered one attempt on target, ironically from Fred. The midfield has been a major problem, especially as none of United’s forwards have turned up.
United could probably use the half-time break now. Fred fouls Kessie as Milan continue to have a good spell. A home goal wouldn’t actually change the United task overly.
United have had a few 0-0 draws of late, but they cannot afford one tonight or they’ll be out of this competition. Can they create something before half-time? Saelemaekers smacks at goal and Henderson saves.
That attempted header from Fred for Rashford was an advertisement in itself to get Pogba on. He might not be any better in what is due to be his first game in 40 days but Pogba’s presence and ability would give United a psychological fillip.