Solskjaer: Rashford unlikely to play against Milan

Wednesday 10 March 2021 13:54

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given an update on the health and fitness of the Manchester United squad, ahead of the first leg of our last-16 Europa League tie with AC Milan.

With Marcus Rashford limping out of Sunday's successful derby victory against Manchester City, and Edinson Cavani also missing the trip across town, there were doubts around the composition of United's squad for tomorrow's game with the Rossoneri.

It was also revealed that Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial had struggled with niggles leading up to the start of the game with City – though both eventually played big parts in the 2-0 win.

Milan name 19-man squad for Manchester

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Thursday's Europa League opponents have confirmed their team news for the Old Trafford clash.

Speaking to the media ahead of the match with Milan, Solskjaer confirmed that he expects Rashford to be unable to take on the Italians.

I don't think he'll be available for tomorrow," said Ole. He's still getting treatment but he didn't join in the training today. Even though normally I'm a very optimistic guy, I still think he's going to be out tomorrow night and a doubt for the weekend.

But that 60-70 yard recovery run [against City, which led to the injury] just showed the hunger and spirit and the humility in our work that we've got at the moment. It was probably worth it there and then, but you're never happy when you lose players for games.

The manager did later say it was possible Rashford could make it, describing him as a "maybe" – a word he also used to describe Cavani's potential availability. But he was less optimistic about United's five other current absentees.
 
I'm not sure if anyone will be back, said Solskjaer. David [De Gea] is not available. Donny [van de Beek], no. Paul [Pogba], no. Edinson, maybe, but probably not. Juan [Mata], no and Marcus, maybe, but probably not. So it's similar to Sunday, but maybe we've lost Marcus.
Classic tie: United 7 Milan 2 (agg) Video

Classic tie: United 7 Milan 2 (agg)

Watch the best bits from both legs of our most recent meeting with the Rossoneri, from 2010…

HOW ARE MILAN SHAPING UP?
 
The Rossoneri revealed their squad list for the trip to Manchester earlier today. Sadly for our visitors – and maybe for United fans too! – Zlatan Ibrahimovic has not made it, after picking up a muscular injury earlier this month. The legendary Swede has been an inspiration to his young team-mates so far this campaign, leading the line with bravado and netting 14 league goals in just 13 starts.
 
There's more disappointing news elsewhere too, as key players Ismaël Bennacer, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Theo Hernandez and Ante Rebic are also omitted. Another experienced striker, the Croatian Mario Mandzukic, is also unavailable. According to the official AC Milan website, the Italians will be bringing just two recognised forwards, in Rafael Leao and Riccardo Tonin.

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