Europa League

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Europa League | Round of 16

Mar 18, 2021 at 8pm UK

Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

AC Milan
0 - 1
Man Utd

Kalulu (65'), Dalot (77'), Kjaer (85'), Hernandez (90+5')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Pogba (49')
Shaw (90+3')

How AC Milan could line up against Manchester United

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 16 March 2021

How AC Milan could line up against Man United

Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how AC Milan could line up for their Europa League last-16 second leg against Manchester United on Thursday.

AC Milan's star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic could make a remarkable return from injury to face former club Manchester United in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Wednesday evening.

The 39-year-old, who has just earned a recall to the Sweden national team, is edging closer to a return from a thigh problem and should be involved in some capacity in midweek, albeit probably not from the first whistle.

As a result, Ante Rebic - who is unavailable for the next two domestic fixtures after his foul-mouthed outburst and sending-off in the weekend's defeat to Napoli - could start up top with Rafael Leao and Mario Mandzukic both nursing injuries as well.

Samu Castillejo lasted 60 minutes against the Partenopei before being hauled off for Alexis Saelemaekers, and the Belgian winger could be given the nod this week as Rade Krunic occupies the opposite flank, with the Man United-linked Hakan Calhanoglu returning in the '10' role after a recent injury layoff.

Franck Kessie's confident display at Old Trafford was one of the main talking points of that 1-1 draw and he is a nailed-on starter in the engine room, and the returning Soualiho Meite could partner the 24-year-old, but Ismael Bennacer should be involved in some capacity this week.

With Theo Hernandez also back in the fold, Man United loanee Diogo Dalot could drop down to the bench, and Simon Kjaer will certainly replace Matteo Gabbia in the heart of defence after his bullet header gave Milan a vital away goal in the first leg, but Alessio Romagnoli remains doubtful.

Dalot could potentially be given the nod at right-back if Davide Calabria fails to shake off an injury in time, but the Italian will hope to be fit for this encounter.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will serve a suspension in the first leg of the quarter-final if he is booked and Milan qualify, but the 22-year-old - whose contract situation remains unresolved - would never be dropped for a game of this magnitude.

AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori, Hernandez; Kessie, Meite; Saelemaekers, Calhanoglu, Krunic; Rebic

> Click here to see how Man United could line up for this clash