Milan and Manchester United will be in better shape heading into Thursday’s return leg of the Europa League Round of 16, although the Rossoneri still have some question marks on the injury front. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ismael Bennacer are available after missing time with thigh problems, coach Stefano Pioli announced. Hakan Calhanoglu and Theo Hernandez already returned in the recent match versus Napoli.
Alessio Romagnoli, Ante Rebic, Davide Calabria and Rafael Leao will instead be assessed early on game-day. Romagnoli was unused in the past two tilts because of a bruised foot, Calabria due to groin soreness. Leao picked up a thigh ailment versus Napoli, while Rebic is bothered by pain in his hip. The Croatian attacker will be suspended for Sunday’s match against Fiorentina.
Sky Sport reports that the presence of Ibrahimovic in the initial XI hinges on the status of Rebic and Leao. The coaching staff would prefer using the Swedish ace off the bench as he has not featured in two weeks and he is not 100 percent. However, they would have no other option if the two teammates were unable to start. Mario Mandzukic will remain on the mend with a thigh strain and is set to come back after the upcoming international break.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will also have a deeper squad at his disposal compared to a week ago as well. David De Gea, Marcus Rashford, Donny Van De Beek and Paul Pogba have made the trip to Milan. Edinson Cavani was poised to return too but suffered a last-minute injury. Eric Bailly and Anthony Martial are also shelved.