The high-profile fixtures just keep on coming in this exceptional week of European football. And it doesn’t get much higher profile than Manchester United against AC Milan (although the fact this is a Thursday night game tells you quite a bit about the trajectory of both clubs’ recent fortunes). I’ll bring you team news and build up over the next hour, followed by live text commentary from 17:55.
Europa League / Last 16
Old Trafford / 11.03.2021
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/match/football-header-bg-mobile.jpg)
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/4080.png){kind=logo}
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/sport/football/club/logo/300/4004.png){kind=logo}
Live
Live Updates
:focal(147x151:149x149)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2015/03/26/1443759-30872147-310-310.jpg)
Updated 11/03/2021 at 19:51 GMT
20'
The flag is up again as a long ball forward catches United sleeping at the back. Another let-off for the hosts, who are really struggling to get going here.
19'
Did Telles go for goal there? The full-back floats the free-kick over the bar from out wide, and it’s not clear whether he was intending a shot or a cross there. Either way it wasn’t great.
18'
Telles is caught late and it’s a booking for Saelemaekers too. A bit harsh that, the ref is certainly on one tonight.
16'
A dangerous cross is whipped across the face of goal, but Leao can’t quite meet it… and he would have been offside in any case. Milan are playing well here though.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2021/03/11/3010030-61756328-2560-1440.jpg)
Image credit: Getty Images
14'
So that’s two disallowed goals in the opening 13 minutes from AC Milan and if United needed a warning that they are in for a game tonight then they’ve just had two.
13'
I'm not sure about that decision at all, the replay shown after the decision wasn't particularly clear, so unless there's another angle that shows a handball then Milan may have just been extremely hard done by.
12'
NO GOAL! Milan think they have the lead and it’s Kessie with a peach of a shot from the edge of the area that left Henderson with no chance. But VAR checks for a handball and rules the goal out.
8'
What a hit that is from Martial! The forward takes the ball down well on his chest before testing Donnarumma with a powerful hit on the turn.
6'
Big let-off for United as Leao dispatches a nice finish past Henderson only for the offside flag to go up. It was the right decision and the game remains goalless, but that’s a timely warning for the hosts that they will have to switch on, and fast!
3'
It’s been a cagey start with neither side able to get a foothold as of yet.
1st Half
1'
Milan, wearing their white away strip, get the game underway.
Here we go then, the players are out at a damp Old Trafford (damp doesn’t really do the grim conditions justice) and we’re all set for kick-off.
Milan’s win over Hellas Verona at the weekend was just the club’s second victory in the last seven matches in all competitions, so the Italian side don’t arrive in Manchester ‘in a good moment’ (as the manager-speak goes). However, Stefano Pioli’s side are still second in Serie A and ahead of clubs of the calibre of Juventus, Roma and Lazio, so it’s not all doom and gloom for the Rossoneri.
So, what sort of test can we expect Milan to provide for United in this tie? If you believe Eurosport’s pool of experts, then not a great deal…
The second leg in Milan will be played in a week’s time, with the draw for the quarterfinals to be held in Nyon the next day.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2021/03/10/3009399-61743708-2560-1440.png)
Milan v Manchester United - The return of a classic rivalry
Tonight’s first-leg visitors are also without a big-name centre-forward, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic not fit enough to make the trip. Despite being 39-years-old (39!), Zlatan has been Milan’s top scorer this season and will be a big miss.