Milan v Manchester United predictions: Red Devils can bounce back at San Siro

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Milan v Manchester United in the Europa League on Thursday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 2, 8pm Thursday

Best bet

Manchester United
2pts 23-20 general

Team news

Milan
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (thigh) is back in training but may not start. Simon Kjaer, Hakan Calhanoglu and Theo Hernandez are available but Ante Rebic, Davide Calabria, Rafael Leao and Mario Mandzukic are doubts.

Manchester United
David de Gea is available but Dean Henderson may keep his place in goal. Anthony Martial, Edinson Cavani and Eric Bailly have not travelled and Paul Pogba and Donny van de Beek will be assessed.

Match preview

Manchester United were frustrated to concede an injury-time equaliser in the home leg of their Europa League last-16 tie against Milan but punters can expect a more ruthless display from the Red Devils at San Siro.

United were not at their best at Old Trafford and they were relieved to see Franck Kessie's first-half strike chalked off for handball.

However, an impish header from Ivorian youngster Amad Diallo gave Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side the lead before Milan's Danish centre-back Simon Kjaer nodded past Dean Henderson in the 92nd minute.

Kjaer's header is the only goal United have conceded in their last six matches in all competitions, a run which includes a 2-0 win at runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City, a 0-0 draw at resurgent Chelsea, and Sunday's 1-0 victory over in-form West Ham.

That defensive solidity bodes well for the trip to Milan who, like United, are second in their domestic league behind their city rivals.

However, while Solskjaer's men have grown in confidence after a sticky start to the season which included a Champions League group-stage exit, Stefano Pioli's Milan appear to be on the wane.

Hopes of a first Scudetto since 2010-11 were raised as Milan kicked off the Serie A campaign with a 15-match unbeaten run. However, they have slipped nine points behind leaders Inter after suffering five defeats in their last 12 games and four of those came at home to their top-five rivals.

Sunday's 1-0 reverse against Napoli followed losses at San Siro to Juventus (3-1), Atalanta (3-0) and Inter (3-0) while Pioli's men were also beaten 2-0 at lowly Spezia last month.

They needed a late goal from Kessie to claim a 1-1 draw at home to Udinese on March 3 and were also knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Inter in January when Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sent off.

The Swedish veteran announced his return to international football this week and is also back in the Milan squad after missing the trip to Old Trafford with a thigh problem.

Ibrahimovic confirmed his availability for Sweden at Euro 2020 with a tweet reading "The return of the God", but United should have some useful, if not quite divine, players back too.

David de Gea, Paul Pogba and Donny van de Beek are in the squad after missing the first leg and the Red Devils, unbeaten in their last 22 away games in the Premier League, can enjoy another successful road trip in Europe.

Key stat

Manchester United have conceded only one goal in their last six games in all competitions.

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