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#3 Should Stefano Pioli have brought on Zlatan Ibrahimovic earlier?
AC Milan started the game on the front foot and asked all the questions in a one-sided first half.
However, for all their pressure, they failed to truly make it count, with the lack of a physical presence in the opposition box proving counter-productive.
Stefano Pioli started the game without a recognized striker, with the likes of Rafael Leao, Ante Rebic and Mario Mandzukic all sidelined by injury.
He, however, had the complement of a fit-again Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the recently recalled Sweden international would have relished the opportunity to face former side Manchester United.
A goalless draw would have seen Milan through to the next round by virtue of their away goal. However, considering the sheer quality available to Manchester United, keeping them at bay would have been a tall order.
That proved to be the case. When Pogba struck with just his second touch of the ball, AC Milan suddenly started playing catch-up.
It took until the final 25 minutes before Pioli introduced Ibrahimovic, and the 39-year-old's physicality proved to be a handful for the Manchester United defense to contain.
He kept the opposition defenders occupied and almost grabbed an equalizer with a well-taken header.
Even though Pioli might have been trying to preserve his talisman considering his long injury lay-off, a more high-risk approach might have brought a higher reward for the hosts.
#2 Impressive Victor Lindelof keeps Milan at bay
Victor Lindelof has not always been a Manchester United favorite, owing to his recklessness and lapses in concentration. However, against AC Milan, the Sweden international put out one of his finer performances.
He produced a spectacular challenge in a two-on-one situation to prevent what would have been a certain goal in the first half. He also made another crucial goal-line challenge to deny Kessie in the second.
Ibrahimovic's introduction saw Lindelof tasked with marking his compatriot, and the former Benfica man discharged his duties with flying colors.
In total, he made five interceptions and five clearances and was a key reason why AC Milan did not get on the scoresheet.
#1 Paul Pogba proves to be a difference-maker for Manchester United
Paul Pogba has been out of action since the start of February, and Manchester United have undeniably felt his absence in the middle of the park.
The France international played some of his best football before suffering a hamstring strain and proved to be a match-winner on several occasions in January.
He made a return at halftime against Milan and needed just two minutes to make a mark on the game.
His physicality in the box proved too much for the hosts to handle, and the presence of mind required to score his goal highlighted just why Pogba is so highly-rated.
A scramble in the area saw the ball fall to the Manchester United number six. He made a slight feint before finding the roof of the net from a tight angle despite being surrounded by opposition players.
For the rest of the game, Pogba combined brilliantly with Bruno Fernandes and helped to slow the tempo of the game down when AC Milan upped the ante in search of an equalizer.
