Coach Stefano Pioli is forced to make many changes for Man Utd vs AC Milan. The first leg will be played in England at Old Trafford.
On Thursday AC Milan travel to England to face Manchester United. Man Utd vs Milan is a clash that has produced some memorable matches during the years in Champions League. This time, both clubs are considered favorites for the Europa League trophy.
Stefano Pioli for the first leg of Man Utd vs Milan will be without several important players such as Theo Hernandez, Ismael Bennacer, Hakan Calhanoglu, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mario Mandzukic. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer too will be without his full staff. David de Gea, Paul Pogba, Juan Mat and Van de Beek will surely be out for the match against the Rossoneri while the presence of strikers Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani is in strong doubt.
Pioli is forced to make several changes to his usual eleven. Gigio Donnarumma in goal will be called to a high-level European performance and to give security to the defense. Simon Kjaer will be back from the start with Davide Calabria on the right. Theo Hernandez who had just recovered is suffering from a gastrointestinal problem and will not travel with the team. Diogo Dalot will take his place again. Alessio Romagnoli and Fikayo Tomori are battling for the remaining spot with the English centre back slightly favorite.
Similar doubt in midfield but for different reasons. Pioli has yet to decide who will play alongside Franck Kessie. Sandro Tonali remained on the bench in Verona due to injury but at Old Trafford but seems to have recovered. However, it looks like Pioli doesn’t want to risk the former Brescia talent so Soualiho Meite is more likely to play from the first minute.
Sky Sport reports of important changes in attack. Castillejo Diaz, Krunic and Saelemaekers are fighting for the three available spots behind the striker. Most likely it will be Diaz to sit on the bench with Krunic in the attacking midfielder role and Saelemaekers with Castillejo on the wings. Ante Rebic will not be risked so he can be ready for the next match against Napoli. The center-forward will again be Rafael Leao, who has been unbale to score for over ten games.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, McTominay; Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes, James; Martial (Cavani).
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): G. Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori, Dalot; Meite (Tonali), Kessie; Saelemaekers, Castillejo (Diaz), Krunic; Leao.
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