ANTHONY MARTIAL found the net to give Manchester United a slight advantage in their last 32 clash with Club Brugge in the Europa League.
They head back to Old Trafford next week on level terms as the Frenchman cancelled out an early Emmanuel Dennis opener.
Anthony Martial scored for a second successive game as Manchester United drew to Club BruggeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Frenchman capitalised on a poor throw-in to coolly slot past former Liverpool keeper Simon MignoletCredit: AFP or licensors
Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis had given the home side a shock lead with an audacious lobbed effortCredit: Icon Sport – Getty
Still it was a far from convincing display from Ole Solskjaer’s side against the top team in Belgium.
In fact it was a pretty drab affair for those who had made the trip here to watch a side that once marched into the latter stages of the Champions League on a regular basis.
Now it’s the Europa League and for a club like Manchester United that is just not the platform they should be on.
Still, it can be a way back into the top competition as it was when Jose Mourinho won it three years ago.
It was Brugge who took the lead last night in the 15th minute and the finger of blame could be pointed at a number of people as the goal came direct from a goal-kick.
United were simply asleep to the danger as a team and Sergio Romero proved why he is United’s second choice goalkeeper.
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet launched the ball up field and Brandon Williams was caught in the starting blocks as he and Emmanuel Dennis raced for it.
Romero misjudged his part in the drama as he came off his line to try and meet it first.
Dennis was the winner getting a toe on it and flicking a shot over Romero from 35 yards out and into the unguarded goal.
Advantage Brugge and well deserved too as they had looked brighter and sharper in the first half.
Yet United would go into the break on level terms thanks to Martial.
It was his 14th goal of the season adding to his opener on Monday against Chelsea on Monday night.
He was alert to a loose throw by Maxim De Cuyper right on halfway picking the ball up and racing away.
Now it was about keeping his composure as he bore down on goal but he did just that slipping a low shot past Mignolet.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cut a frustrated figure at times on the United benchCredit: Reuters
Odion Ighalo made a successive cameo appearance from the benchCredit: PA:Press Association
A moment to warm the hearts of the United fans who had been drenched on the way into the Jan Breydelstadion.
To be fair there was little else to be had.
Although Jesse Lingard came close to scoring on what was his 200th appearance for the club.
Despite an otherwise quiet game for the attacking midfielder he did get on the end of Diogo Dalot cross from the right flank early in the second half sending the ball just the wrong side of the near post.
There was another opening for United when Juan Mata broke and fed Martial but his return ball caught Brugge defender Simon Deli who almost wrong footed Mignolet.
Looking for a winner Ole Solskjaer brought on loan striker Odion Ighlao into the action midway through the second-half for Martial but no chances would fall his way.
In fact it was Brugge ruing a missed opportunity to go to Old Trafford next week with an advantage.
Their big chance came in the 78th minute when a cross from Clinton Mata found Odilon Kossouno unmarked ten yards out but the moment was too much for him as he scuffed his shot wide.
With time running out and United creating little Solskjaer called for the cavalry in the form of Bruno Fernandes as a late sub.
He could not alter this drab affair either.
Still it’s advantage United, just, as they head back to Old Trafford for the second-leg.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
