FC Rostov scored a second-half equaliser to deny Manchester United an away win in their UEFA Europa League clash on Thursday.

The Red Devils took the lead at the Olimp-2 Stadium when Henrikh Mkhitaryan applied the finish to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s cutback from the byline in the 35th minute.

With that strike, Mkhitaryan became the first United player to score in three consecutive European games for almost seven years, since Wayne Rooney in 2010.

United edged the possession count but could not build on their lead and paid the price for that in the 53rd minute when Aleksandr Bukharov pulled a goal back for the hosts from Timofei Kalachev’s assist.

The second leg of the last 16 clash will take place at Old Trafford on March 16.

Thursday’s Early Results

APOEL Nicosia 0-1 Anderlecht

FC Copenhagen 2-1 Ajax

FC Rostov 1-1 Manchester United