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Advantage Manchester United: 1-1 at Rostov in Europa League
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Manchester United's Chris Smalling (left) and Rostov's Aleksandr Bukharov fight for the ball during the Europa League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Rostov and Manchester United in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Thursday. (AP/Denis Tyrin)
M
anchester United preserved its unbeaten record in Russia but had to settle for 1-1 at Rostov in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan's away goal gave United, which has never won the Europa League, the advantage ahead of the second leg, particularly with Rostov captain Aleksandr Gatskan and full-back Timofei Kalachev ruled out of the game next week due to bookings.
Rostov coach Ivan Daniliants said defender Vladimir Granat was also out after breaking his collarbone.
United coach Jose Mourinho complained about the quality of the pitch before the game, but his side had the benefit of a strong wind for the first half.
The visitors largely frustrated Rostov, playing for the first time at this stage of European competition, albeit without creating many opportunities as both sides slugged it out in midfield.
Mkhitaryan made the breakthrough with the first real chance 10 minutes before the interval, when Zlatan Ibrahimovic did well to cut the ball back from the byline to set him up.
Rostov improved drastically in the second half, and Aleksandr Bukharov equalized minutes after the restart, taking Kalachev's long pass on his chest with his first touch and dispatching it past Sergio Romero with his next.
