Manchester United vs AC Milan: preview and team news / Europa League 2020-21

Two continental giants clash at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Manchester United and AC Milan will square off at Old Trafford in a heavyweight clash in the Europa League.

Both clubs have such a rich history of success in European competitions, and will be expected to win the competition this season.

Over the years, both Manchester United and AC Milan have had some memorable European ties and the neutrals will hope for more of the same come Thursday.

Man United ended cross-town rivals Man City’s 21-game winning run when recording a 2-0 victory in the Manchester derby on Sunday.

AC Milan needed away goals to get past Red Star in the last round. A 2-2 draw in Belgrade was followed by a 1-1 stalemate at home against 10-man Red Star.

Man United vs AC Milan Predictions:

Man United have drawn 3 of their last 4 matches (all competitions).
Man United are undefeated in 23 of their last 25 matches (Europa League).
AC Milan are undefeated in 10 of their last 11 matches (Europa League).
AC Milan have drawn their last 2 matches (Europa League).

Thursday’s encounter will be the 11th meeting between Manchester United and AC Milan in European competition, with each of the 10 previous games coming in the European Cup/Champions League. The head-to-head record going into this encounter is level as both have five wins apiece in those meetings.

These two sides last met in a competitive fixture in 2010 when Man United won 4-0 at Old Trafford in the UEFA Champions League last 16.

When reaching the Round of 16 of a major European competition, AC Milan have been ousted on six of the last seven occasions, this after progressing from nine consecutive such ties from 1988 to 2007. Their only progression over this period was against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League in 2011/12.

They have met since in the International Champions Cup pre-season friendlies in 2018 and 2019. Both were won on penalties by Man United after draws.

Interestingly, whenever Milan have beaten Manchester United, they have managed to keep a clean-sheet.

Man United’s impressive defensive record of four clean sheets in a row comes up against a free-scoring AC Milan side which has netted 2+ goals in 7 of their last 10 away matches.

Both teams are in a good run of form at the moment. Manchester United will head into the fixture with a little bit more confidence. The Red Devils beat Manchester City on Sunday to end their 21-game winning run in all competitions.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have been pretty sturdy defensively, while Milan have struggled for a bit of consistency in the absence of their stars.

With United 11 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, their best chances of winning silverware this season look to be in the Europa League and FA Cup.

Our Prediction: Manchester United to win @ 1.64