This week in the Europa League action sets to host one of the highly anticipated fixtures as Manchester United welcome continental giants AC Milan in the last 16-tie. The match schedules for Thursday at Old Trafford with kickoff at 8:55 pm.
These two giants used to meet at the elite level, but times changed, and they now found themselves battling for a spot in the Europa quarter-finals. Manchester United come off an impressive Derby win while Milan victorious over Hellas Verona.
It marks their first encounter in 11 years when United met Milan in the second-tier competition. It presents a sign of their diminished stature, with other domestic rivals surpassing them in recent times.
While working under Jose Mourinho, United are the only club remaining in this season’s competition to have won the Europa League in its current guise. AC Milan has a tough lot when it comes to the European level, managing to semi-finals only.
Ahead of the first leg at Old Trafford, United ended local rivals Manchester City’s 21 matches unbeaten streak, with a 2-0 away victory on Sunday. Nevertheless, Ole Gunnar’s men are 11 points adrift of league leaders.
In Serie A, Milan follows suit of Inter Milan but defeats in their final two Group H fixtures leaves them in the wake of Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig. It remains a major task for Stefan Pioli.
Manchester United vs AC Milan Head to Head
Both sides have six games against each other, with Manchester United taking home five wins while AC Milan with one win. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
Man City 0-2 Man United
Crystal Palace 0-0 Man United
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
Man United 0-0 Real Sociedad
Man United 3-1 Newcastle
Away
Hellas Verona 0-2 AC Milan
Milan 1-1 Udinese
Roma 1-2 Milan
Milan 1-1 FK Crvena zvezda
Milan 0-3 Inter
Manchester United Team News
There are several injury doubts at the United camp ahead of the clash. Marcus Rashford limped off the pitch with an ankle injury. A fellow forward, Edinson Cavani, is missing the top of the table clash with an aggravating injury in training last week.
AC Milan Team News
The same injury doubts face Pioli with Hakan Calhanoglu, Ante Rebic and remaining doubts about the clash. With Ibramohivic ruled out, it leaves space for Leao to work alongside understudy Mario Mandzukic.
Prediction and Odds
After enjoying a derby success, United can go past an injury-hit squad to make it to the quarter-finals.
Manchester United Win
Goals Under 2.5
Most Goals: 1H