Manchester United gave away a win at Anderlecht during Thursday's UEFA Europa League action but still appear in an excellent position to advance from the quarter-final stage.

The Mancunians conceded a late goal after dominating the first half, but the 1-1 draw leaves manager Jose Mourinho and his troops with a vital away goal.

Elsewhere, Ajax booked a huge 2-0 win over FC Schalke, and Genk kept the tie with Celta Vigo exciting despite suffering a 3-2 loss. Lyon completed a comeback win over Besiktas after their match was delayed due to fan unrest.

United dominated the first half in Brussels but barely pushed for a second goal after the break, and their lack of effort in the second half cost them dearly as Anderlecht tied things up shortly before the final whistle.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan had given the visitors a deserved lead in the first half, and Anderlecht barely threatened before the break. Playmaker Youri Tielemans was given far more space in the second half, however, and the team predictably improved. By the time Leander Dendoncker tied things up with a powerful header, Anderlecht fully deserved a goal of their own.

The Red Devils maintain the best odds of winning the competition and should cruise to the semi-finals in the second leg, but the team's complacency after the break is concerning.

Anderlecht were far from their best, with several key players not starting as their focus is on the play-offs in Belgium. A better team won't be outclassed like that and could take advantage of the lack of consistent approach.

Davy Klaassen put Ajax in a perfect position against Schalke with a brace, guiding his team to a 2-0 win.

Schalke have been very inconsistent this season and the Gelsenkirchen-based team ran into an Ajax side that is flying high and in the middle of a great run in the Eredivisie.

Ajax could easily have scored four or five goals and may rue their misses in the return leg, but for now, their chances of reaching the semi-finals seem great.

In Spain, Thomas Buffel's second-half goal put Genk in a solid position against Celta Vigo. The Spaniards had turned a one-goal deficit into a 3-1 lead before half-time but now face a difficult trip to Belgium.

Lyon also turned a one-goal deficit into a win and will travel to Turkey with a 2-1 advantage.