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Paul Pogba returned from injury with a bang as the super sub fired Manchester United to victory at AC Milan and a place in the Europa League quarter-finals.<\/p>\nPaul Pogba returned from injury with a bang as the super sub fired Manchester United to victory at AC Milan and a place in the Europa League quarter-finals.<\/p>\n
Simon Kjaer\u2019s stoppage-time equalizer at Old Trafford last week left the return leg of this last-16 encounter between these European heavyweights fascinatingly poised.<\/p>\n
Pogba missed the first leg during a 40-day absence with a thigh injury and made a timely return at San Siro, where he scored minutes after his half-time introduction to secure a 1-0 win and 2-1 aggregate triumph.<\/p>\n
The France midfielder\u2019s smart 48th-minute strike was a gut punch for Milan, who had looked confident during a cagey opening period in which United struggled to impose themselves.<\/p>\n
That changed when Pogba was introduced at the break and scored from close range having shaped to cross, leading Milan to turn to ex-United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovi\u0107 on the bench.<\/p>\n
Dean Henderson made amends for letting in Kjaer\u2019s leveler last week by superbly denying the 39-year-old as the Red Devils held out to keep their hopes of Europa League glory alive.<\/p>\n
Solskjaer\u2019s unchanged side started on front foot at the empty San Siro, where Milan were happy to sit deep in a bid to negate the visitors\u2019 counter-attacking prowess.<\/p>\n
Bruno Fernandes blazed over following good play by Luke Shaw in a rare first-half opportunity for United, whose winger Daniel James went down screaming for a penalty on a rare burst behind.<\/p>\n
The Wales flyer was denied in the box by Fikayo Tomori\u2019s recovery tackle and referee Felix Brych saw nothing wrong with it.<\/p>\n
Milan grew as a threat as the opening period wore on and took control against increasingly sloppy United.<\/p>\n
Harry Maguire put in a timely challenge to halt a fine run from Theo Hernandez and Victor Lindelof had to make a key tackle on Franck Kessie following an errant Fernandes backpass.<\/p>\n
Milan continued to knock on the door as half-time approached.<\/p>\n
Tidy build-up led to Alexis Saelemaekers getting away a strike that Henderson could only parry, with Rade Krunic directing wide under pressure on the stroke of half-time.<\/p>\n
Solskjaer turned to Pogba in place of Marcus Rashford at the break in a bid to change the dynamics \u2013 an alteration that paid dividends within three minutes of his introduction.<\/p>\n
James saw a shot blocked to start a penalty-box melee in which United kept their cool, with tenacious Fred\u2019s pressure on Soualiho Meite leading the ball to be pushed onto Pogba.<\/p>\n
Five yards out but at an acute angle, he shaped to cross only to strike past Gianluigi Donnarumma at the near post.<\/p>\n
Henderson stopped Saelemaekers\u2019 immediate attempt to draw level as the goal opened the game up, with Pogba underlining the visitors\u2019 renewed belief when trying to score from his own half.<\/p>\n
The France midfielder sparked a vastly-improved second-half display, leading Stefano Pioli to introduce Ibrahimovi\u0107 and on-loan United full-back Diogo Dalot.<\/p>\n
Milan were desperately trying to prise open the United backline and Lindelof threw himself in front of a shot by Kessie, who glanced wide before Ibrahimovi\u0107 got a powerful header on target.<\/p>\n
The veteran star towered above Shaw to meet Hakan Calhanoglu\u2019s cross from the left, only for Henderson to produce a big save from his near-post header in the 74th minute.<\/p>\n
Fernandes tried his luck from a long-range free-kick as Milan appealed for whatever they could, with Scott McTominay stretching to direct a dangerous ball back to Henderson.<\/p>\n
Pogba headed over a James cross and Fernandes saw an attempt deflect wide as the clock wound down, with United keeping their heads to secure their place in Friday\u2019s Europa League quarter-final draw.<\/p>\n