Europa League team news and prediction: Man Utd vs AC Milan

After getting arguably one of the toughest draws possible in the last round in Spanish side Real Sociedad, Manchester United have again been handed a hard tie for the round of 16.

AC Milan are not the side they once were but they have made rapid improvements over the last 12 months, not least helped by ex-United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and it is still a glamour tie, even if historically, at least, it should be in the Champions League.

Ahead of their first leg meeting, we have all your need-to-know matchday information in one place, including team news, probable XIs and where and when you can catch the game.

When is kick off?
Thursday 11th March, 17:55 GMT
Where is the match?
Old Trafford, Manchester (England)
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport 1

Round of 32 Recap

Manchester United got the business done in the round of 32 tie with Real Sociedad after the first leg with a 4-0 win away from home, albeit in a neutral venue rather than in Spain. United rode their luck with a missed penalty early in the return leg but eventually saw out the game 0-0 to advance to the next round.

AC Milan were made to work really hard for their place in the last-16, edging Red Star Belgrade on the away goal ruling. Milan benefitted from an own goal and two penalties across both legs, following up a 2-2 draw on the road with a 1-1 draw on home soil.

Team News

Marcus Rashford avoided ankle ligament damage in the Manchester derby on Sunday but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed he is unlikely to play a part in the first leg, with Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Donny van de Beek and David de Gea all still unavailable for the Red Devils. Dean Henderson will continue in goal, with Maon Greenwood, Eric Bailly and Alex Telles set to benefit from some rotation. Edinson Cavani is also set to miss out once again with a muscle injury. 

AC Milan have similar injury woes, arguably worse. Zlatan Ibrahimovic misses out on a return to Old Trafford through injury, while the Serie A outfit will also be without Hakan Calhanoglu, Ante Rebic, Theo Hernandez, Mario Mandzukic and Ismael Bennacer. United loanee Diogo Dalot is at least free to face his parent club, while United will also know about Chelsea loanee Fikayo Tomori and ex-Manchester City youngster Brahim Diaz. Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is also someone they have been heavily linked with in the past.

Probable XIs:

Man Utd (4231): Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Telles; Fred, McTominay; Greenwood, Fernandes, James; Martial

AC Milan (4231): Donnarumma; Calabria, Tomori, Romagnoli, Dalot; Meite, Kessie; Saelemaekers, Krunic, Castillejo; Leao

Key Battle: Aaron Wan-Bissaka vs Diogo Dalot

It's unclear why Manchester United did not include a clause in Diogo Dalot's loan move to AC Milan that would prevent him from playing against them, presumably as they didn't expect to drop into the Europa League and face them, but the Serie A outfit will certainly benefit from it, particularly with Theo Hernandez sidelined. Dalot isn't a first-team regular by any means at Milan but is at least getting more game time there.

The fact United want to sign a new right-back in the summer to push Aaron Wan-Bissaka suggests Dalot does not have a long-term future at Old Trafford. There is no doubt about Wan-Bissaka as a defender, illustrated by a remarkably high tackle success rate of 85.7% across league and European competition, but they are still working on making him a threat going forward. He does at least have five goals and assists this season, suggesting progress is being made. Dalot will certainly be keen to prove Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wrong on Thursday.

Scoreline Prediction: Man Utd 2-0 AC Milan