With the first leg finishing as a draw, the second leg between two of Europe's biggest sides will be firmly poised on a knife's edge.

Preview: Milan vs Manchester United

A bit over a decade ago, a clash between AC Milan and Manchester United would have been one of the highlights of the Champions League. A lot has changed since then. Now, it's not the Champions League that will be hosting this intriguing match-up, but the Europa League. Still, it doesn't take away from the fact that this game is arguably among the most-anticipated ties in European football this season.

The first leg finished as a stalemate at Old Trafford, with a late effort from defender Simon Kjaer giving Milan a vital away goal heading into the return fixture at the Stadio San Siro. Still, with Manchester United having a goal of their own thanks to a header from teenager Amad Diallo, coupled with the Diavolo's less than solid form lately, means that the Red Devils still do have one foot firmly in this contest.

Milan come into this match having lost 1-0 to Napoli at the weekend, and two losses in their last five games have seen Stefano Pioli's side slip nine points behind cross-town rivals Inter. It's a disappointing turn of events especially considering that the Rossoneri were in fine mettle heading into the Christmas break, and in fact, concluded the first part of the current campaign as winter champions. As things stand, however, it looks like Milan fans will have to wait yet another season to see their team get their hands on the Scudetto - unless if Inter suffer what would be an utterly shocking and surprise collapse.

Overall, Milan have won just two of their last nine games across all comps, while Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 13 matches. Like the Rossoneri, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Red Devils sit in second spot in their domestic league and are also well behind their own cross-town rivals Manchester City in the title race. Thus, with the Premier League title increasingly looking like it's going to be Manchester City's, United have turned their attention towards other trophies, and that includes the Europa League.

Solskjaer will be ruing his team's missed opportunities at Old Trafford earlier this month, which included skipper Harry Maguire somehow failing to convert from close range. Nonetheless, Manchester United will look to exploit Milan's inconsistent performances that have seen them shockingly lose to debutants Spezia and fail to really show up on home turf. The hosts will gain a huge boost with the return of veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but the 39-year-old isn't expected to be involved in the starting XI.

Still, despite their flagging form, Milan do have a bit of positive history on their side. Of their last 28 European matches in which they drew the first leg on the road, the Rossoneri have come out on top in 24 of those. However, two of their four eliminations have come in recent matches. Overall, the Diavolo have a record of W11 L2 when they've drawn 1-1 on the road - so again, the odds do perhaps seemingly point in their favor.

But Manchester United also have a solid record in this competition, including in road fixtures. The Red Devils have lost just one of their last 11 (W6 D4), but have posted mixed results when they've drawn the first leg at home, with five wins and seven losses so far. And when the score has finished in a one-all stalemate, United's results have been evenly split: three wins and three losses so far.

So, with all this in mind, this match is truly poised on a knife's edge. Unfortunately, one of these decorated sides won't be able to head onto the quarter-finals and perhaps beyond. Will Milan take one step closer towards a long-awaited European title? Or will Manchester United make it their second Europa League crown in four years?

Team news: Milan vs Manchester United

Milan: Both Hakan Calhanoglu and Theo Hernandez, who missed out on the away leg, will return for this game. In addition, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has recovered from his thigh injury and should be able to get involved from the bench, but new striker Mario Mandzukic will have to wait yet a bit longer to feature after suffering an injury setback. However, new signing Ismael Bennacer has finally recovered and may feature in some capacity, while Rafael Leao, Alessio Romagnoli and Davide Calabria are all in doubt.

Manchester United: Meanwhile, Edinson Cavani, Paul Pogba, and Donny van de Beek have all recovered from their respective injuries to join the traveling party to Milan. However, neither Anthony Martial nor Eric Bailly have passed their respective fitness tests and as such will not be available for selection. In addition, although he's now out of a mandatory isolation period following his return to Spain to be with his partner and newborn child, David De Gea will be replaced by young shot-stopper Dean Henderson for this match.

Match facts: Milan vs Manchester United

  • This match-up is the first European clash between Milan and Manchester United in 11 years
  • The 1-1 draw at Old Trafford marks the first draw between the Rossoneri and the Red Devils
  • Prior to that, each side had won five each (of their earlier ten meetings)
  • Manchester United's away record against Italian teams is W5 D3 L10
  • They've won their last two, including beating Juventus during the group stages of the 2018/19 Champions League and haven't lost any of their last five
  • Milan's home record against English teams is W7 D4 L4
  • And their record in two-legged contests versus English sides is W8 L6...
  • ...while the Red Devils have a record of W6 D6 in two-legged ties against Italian teams 
  • Manchester United have an away record of W7 D4 L6 in the Europa League
  • And they've lost just one of their last 11 matches in this competition (W6 D4)

Where to watch Milan vs Manchester United live on March 18, 2021

Milan vs Manchester United kick-off at 13:00 PST/16:00 EST/20:00 GMT/21:00 CET

USA: FuboTV, UniMás, TUDNxtra, Univision NOW, TUDN App, Paramount+, TUDN.com

Italy: Sky Sport 252, Sky Sport Uno, TV8, NOW TV, SKY Go Italia

UK: Talksport 2 Radio UK, BT Sport App, BT Sport 2, BT Sport Ultimate, BTSport.com

Australia: Optus Sport

Canada: DAZN

Live elsewhere? Here's where to watch Milan vs Manchester United live from your current location:

 

Match details, result and original broadcast info

Milan 0 - 1 Manchester United

March 18, 2021 4:00pmStadio Giuseppe Meazza (Milano)

This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.

Live TV coverage and streaming in United States

Paramount+
fuboTV
UniMás
TUDN.com
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