The bookmaker’s favourites for this season’s Europa League, Manchester United were held by gritty Anderlecht in the first leg of their quarterfinal tie in Belgium.

The visitors started the brighter of the two sides as Marcus Rashford crossed it in for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, only for the Swede’s shot to be parried onto the path of Jesse Lingard, who struck it against the post as the home side had an early reprieve.

United drew first blood when Antonio Valencia crossed it in from the right only for Rashford to strike it first time as the goalkeeper’s save only reached as far as Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who manouevred it in from a narrow angle.

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It was the Armenian’s fourth goal in seven matches in the competition for his new team as United went into the break one away goal up and looking to gain the upper hand in the first leg.

However, Anderlecht grabbed a vital home goal when Leander Dendoncker managed to connect with Ivan Obradovic’s fine left-wing cross to head it past Sergio Romero and into the far corner of the United goal.

The Belgian side have it all to do when they visit Old Trafford next week on April 20 for the return leg.

Brief Scores:

  • Anderlecht 1 (Leander Dendoncker) drew with Manchester United 1 (Henrikh Mkhitaryan)
  • Ajax 2 (Davy Klaassen X 2, including 1 pen.) beat Schalke 04 0
  • Celta Vigo 3 (Pione Sisto, Iago Aspas, John Guidetti) beat Genk 2 (Jean-Paul Boetius, Thomas Buffel)
  • Lyon 2 (Corentin Tolisso, Jeremy Morel) beat Besiktas 1 (Ryan Babel)