Manchester United were exposed in embarrassing
fashion before the interval then somehow rallied to give themselves a lifeline via a courageous second-half display.
Manchester City remain firm favourites to reach the final with the second leg in three weeks but Pep Guardiola’s side really should have killed the tie here. For Ole Gunnar Solskjær there is relief this did not finish as a hiding that could have seriously damaged his young side.
The remarkable element of how City came close to destroying United is that it is only a month since the tables were turned at the Etihad Stadium when United gave the champions a lesson in the 2-1
Premier League win.