ANDERLECHT 1, MANCHESTER UNITED 1 (Europa League Quarter Final 1st Leg)
- Wayne Rooney not match fit and did not travel
- Henrikh Mkhitaryan scores opening goal after 36 minutes but United fail to convert other chances with Jesse Lingard hitting the post
- Anderlecht level the tie with their first attempt on target in the 86th minute – a header by Leander Dendoncker
Manchester United have a precious away goal in the Europa League quarter final tie against Anderlecht but they could only draw 1-1 at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium after again failing to convert the chances they had created.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s first half goal will give the Reds an advantage for the return leg next Thursday but boss Jose Mourinho will be concerned at a second half dip in form that eventually saw Anderlecht level the tie through a Leander Dendoncker header just four minutes from full time.
Sergio Romero continued in goal with David De Gea rested as a precautionary measure after feeling a “little injury”. Captain Wayne Rooney did not travel as he was not deemed fit enough to play after feeling pain in both ankles.
Antonio Valencia replaced Luke Shaw, meaning that Matteo Darmian switched to left back.
Michael Carrick replaced Marouane Fellaini while Marcus Rashford came in for Ander Herrera.
United were once again dominant away from Old Trafford and there were clear chances for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Jesse Lingard – who hit the post, and Marcus Rashford with a dipping shot.
Just when it looked like the Reds were starting to overthink their chances another Rashford shot was saved by Ruben Martinez in the 36th minute but Henrikh Mkhitaryan was following up for a tap in off the rebound while the Anderlecht ‘keeper was on the ground.
United failed to hammer home their advantage in the second half, allowing Anderlecht back into the game with a lacklustre second half performance.
Late header by Anderlecht midfielder Leander Dendoncker cancels out Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s opener
The home side wasted several chance to level the scores shortly after the restart.
Nicolae Stanciu’s 20 yard free kick went over the bar. Valencia cleared a deflected effort by Massimo Bruno off his line and blocked a chance for Frank Acheampong while Bailly robbed the Anderlecht man as he hesitated with the ball a minute later.
Mkhitaryan could have doubled his and United’s goal tally after 56 minutes after he flashed a great cross by Darmian wide of the post while Rashford’s shot was too easy to save for Ruben.
Sensing trouble brewing from the home side, Reds boss Jose Mourinho threw on Anthony Martial shortly after the hour mark but the Frenchman made little impression on the Anderlecht goal.
Anderlecht’s recently injured striker Lukasz Teodorczyk came on as Anderlecht’s last roll of the dice but Mourinho elected to use Marouane Fellaini to gave United more solidity as he replaced Rashford with United unable to break down the home side.
Sofiane Hanni’s late shot was deflected away by Bailly while Paul Pogba’s shot was saved by Ruben but United couldn’t hold on as Leander Dendoncker’s header beat Romero from 12 yards out just four minutes from time with their only shot on target in the game.
United, by way of comparison, had a strong case for four or five goals to put the tie out of reach of Anderlecht but Mourinho’s men were punished again for their profligacy.
It was the 14th Europa League goal at home for Anderlecht, the 10th 1-1 draw for United this season, and the Reds may have to rely on their 100% winning home record in the Europa League to see them into the semi finals.