Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer felt his side were “a bit sloppy” as they drew 1-1 with Club Bruges in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie in Belgium. The visitors started poorly and fell behind when Emmanuel Dennis lobbed Sergio Romero early in the first half. United equalised when Anthony Martial raced through to beat ex-Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet one-on-one.

United’s three-man defence – particularly in the opening half hour – looked fragile and exposed and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side failed to heed an early warning when Nigerian striker Dennis got in on the right before Victor Lindelof scrambled away. Consequently, they were punished after 15 minutes when Mignolet launched a pass down the pitch and Dennis got in between two defenders before coolly lifting the ball over the onrushing Romero. From then on Bruges looked certain to add to their lead as United struggled to settle but a mistake at the back was clinically pounced on by Martial as he ran on to a poor throw-in, outpaced a defender before beating Mignolet at his near post. Mignolet is the first goalkeeper to provide an assist in the Europa League since Guilherme for Lokomotiv Moscow against Sporting Lisbon in September 2015. “I don’t think it was one of the best games anyone’s seen,” Solskjaer said. “It was a difficult game against a well-organised team in difficult conditions. “We got an away goal, we got a draw. We go home next week so hopefully we can finish the job.” The game was played in heavy rain and strong wind for large periods, while Solskjaer also felt the ball that is used in Europa League games did not help improve the quality of football on display. “I think you can ask any of the players, that ball doesn’t help anyone play football,” he added. “It’s just different and difficult to play with. You can get one and try! “But it’s the same for the two teams, of course. But the conditions weren’t nice, the wind and the rain.” Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo featured Manchester United while his other compatriot David Okereke was on the bench for Club Bruge. The two sides will meet again at Old Trafford on 27 February.