Matchday Live:
AC Milan versus Manchester United

First Leg: Manchester United 1 - 1 AC Milan | Amad, Kessie
Second Leg: AC Milan 0 - 1 Manchester United | Pogba

Words and Editorial: Luke James

Refresh your browser for updates during the game. To interact with the blog tweet @BoarSport or @LukeJames_32.

Goodnight from me!

That's exactly what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would have asked for. Manchester United played with the composure befitting of a team that could go all the way in this competition.

Paul Pogba will dominate tomorrow's back pages.

Dean Henderson, however, is my MOTM. After a poor performance last week, the English shot-stopper came up trumps tonight.

Good distribution. A huge save from Zlatan Ibrahimović.

Top work.

Manchester United join Arsenal in the quarter-finals, the draw will be held at midday tomorrow. For the record, I make the Red Devils the favourites now.

Teams to avoid: Ajax, Roma, and Slavia Prague.

To everyone who has read and contributed to this week's blogs, thank you!

Luke James, over and out.

Full-Time: AC Milan (1) 0-1 (2) Manchester United

Game. Set. Match.

Manchester United are into the last eight thanks to a slender win over Italian giants AC Milan. It wasn't vintage from United. However, Solskjaer's side controlled tonight's game perfectly.

Professional throughout. United's second ever win at the San Siro.

Job Done. Paul Pogba was the difference maker.

FIVE MINUTES ADDED ON.

This is your final opportunity to send in your thoughts on the game. Who is your player of the match? Does this victory make Manchester United the favourites?

Does Ole Gunnar Solskjaer get enough credit?

87:00 - Daniel James wins some space on the flank and sends a high cross towards Pogba at the far post. The Frenchman heads over.

Aside from that, United are doing a good job of keeping the ball.

They have a corner with 90:00 on the clock.

85:00 - Kjaer brings down Fred. Yellow card.

Fred might be milking the extent of his injury.

Time is ticking away in Milan. United in control.

Ten to go! Will either side score before FT?

77:00 - A key intervention from Luke Shaw in defence. Milan aren't out of this, but they need a goal soon.

Is now the time for a defensive substitution for United?

SAVE HENDERSON!

73:00 - Zlatan leaps highest at the far post - beating Luke Shaw in the air. Henderson saves. That might have been the chance for Milan.

Elsewhere, Rangers are in big trouble. They're down to nine players and are behind on the night.

Zlatan x Sweden

An interesting comment from Mitchell.

This is peak Ibrahimovic. He's back for the big show. Tough group for Sweden, they face Spain, Poland, and Slovakia.

SUB: Zlatan on; Castillejo off.

Castillejo impressed me. Playing outside his normal role, that was a fine performance.

All eyes on Ibrahimovic.

63:30 - Is there a route back into this game for AC Milan?

55:00 - Since falling behind, AC Milan have been forced to commit more players to the attacking phase of play. There's space for United to exploit if they can counter.

#FranckKessiéWatch

We're all high on the Ivorian. A top, top player with a bright future.

Goal Rewind: Pogba fired the ball into the net after continued pressure from Manchester United.

Franck Kessie tried to block the shot, but it wasn't to be for Milan.

Moments after the goal, Henderson is forced into a good save. Ibrahimovic is warming-up.

GOAL. POGBA. '47.

SUB: Rashford off; Pogba on

Rashford looked as though he was playing with a knock. Paul Pogba is on to replace him, the Frenchman is playing on the left tonight.

Before we restart...

Finely poised in Milan!

Mitchell has also shared his thoughts on the Pickford debate.

We're back underway!

Half-Time Thoughts:

I agree with this. Manchester United need to find an extra gear.

Pickford for England?

Callum, friend of the show (well, editor), thinks Kane might have to leave Spurs. Do you agree?

No way, Jose!

Do you agree with Toby?

Around the Grounds: *AGG

Rangers 1-2 Slavia Prague

Villarreal 4-0 Dynamo Kyiv

Young Boys 0-4 Ajax

AC Milan 1-1 Manchester United

I'm off for a drinks break, keep your tweets coming in!

Half-Time: Scoreless.

Who will be the happier head coach at half time: Pioli or Solskjaer?

This is Mitchell's take on the first half.

England's #1?

We spoke about Trent Alexander-Arnold earlier - but what about Dean Henderson. With Jordan Pickford out, should Henderson start for England this month?

Let me know what your England 'keeping depth chart is - it's Pope, Pickford, Henderson for me!

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35:00 - Lindelöf with a great challenge in the penalty area. Milan are playing with a cautious counter-attack... it's working thus far.

Quarter-Finalists:

Dinamo Zagreb, Roma, Granada, and Arsenal are through.

Will Manchester United make it?

Analysis: I'm impressed by Milan

30:00 - As expected, United have been on top. Controlling the ball and stretching the play while they are in possession.

Milan are having to pick their moments for getting forwards, but they look good when they do. For a team so badly hit by injuries, this is a decent display so far.

Immense from Tomori. I've also been impressed by Donnarumma.

What have you made of the game so far? Get in touch with any comments on this game... or Spurs' elimination.

Oh. My.

Spurs' hopes now rest in the Premier League and Carabao Cup.

An astounding defeat. What does this mean for Mourinho?

Chance Milan!

23:00 - Hernandez is tackled in the box by Maguire, no shot - but an improvement from Milan.

United botched their clearance following the resultant throw-in.

Fred shoots down the other end. Easy save.

On the Tomori challenge... perfect from the Chelsea loanee.

CHANCE UNITED!

20:00 - James uses his pace to break down the right. He's taken down in the box under the challenge, the referee was unmoved.

Tomori gets the ball... just. VAR might take a look.

18:47 - Corner United. Punched away by Donnarumma.

Shaw is looking busy down the left.

Old friends re-United! Imagine a podcast with these two as hosts...

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15:04 - Franck Kessié has just had his first shot of the night, straight at Dean Henderson.

Castillejo has been putting in the work. Milan slowly growing into this.

Rangers haven fallen behind at Ibrox, Salvia Prague lead 2-1 on aggregate.

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13:00 - This is going to be a slow-burner. Daniel James has just showed great pace down the right flank... the Welshman was unable to find a white shirt in the box, though.

Fernandes has just hammered a shot over. Unusually poor technique, he leant back on that one!

Meanwhile in Zagreb... Toby is very impressed by Dinamo!

HAT-TRICK IN ZAGREB!

Disaster for Spurs. Dinamo Zagreb are 10 minutes away from the quarter-finals.

06:00 - An interesting fact from BT's play-by-play commentator, Ian Drake. AC Milan are winnless in their last four home games. As Joe and I said earlier, this game is here for the taking for United.

Castillejo is playing as Milan's most advanced central player. It's not his usual role - but he'll have to make do as Pioli's makeshift false nine.

Spurs are into the second half of extra time. Still 2-2 on aggregate.

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03:00 - It's been an interesting start to this game.

We must remember, however, that both of these sides have seen better days this season. AC Milan lost to Napoli at the weekend, leaving them nine points off the pace at the top of Seire A.

Manchester United beat West Ham to solidify their spot in the top four; it wasn't vintage United, though.

Thus far, the visitors have been on the front foot. They're camped in Milan's half.

KICK-OFF!

The 20:00 (GMT) games are underway, this is how the scores are as we start the night:

  1. AC Milan v Manchester United (AGG 1-1)
  2. Rangers v Salvia Prague (AGG 1-1)
  3. Villarreal v Dynamo Kyiv (AGG 2-0)
  4. Young Boys v Ajax (AGG 3-0)

Meanwhile in Croatia, Spurs are into extra time with Dinamo Zagreb.

Around the Grounds:

Arsenal are through! Here's the (aggregate) scores on the doors from the early kick-offs:

  1. Arsenal 3-2 Olympiakos
  2. Dinamo Zagreb 2-2 Spurs - EXTRA TIME
  3. Molde 2-3 Granada
  4. Shakhtar Donetsk 1-5 Roma

We're less than 10 minutes away from kick-off in Milan. Exciting!

#JoseOut?

It's currently trending on Twitter. Spurs are currently losing to a side who has just seen their manager sent to prison for fraud.

It's FT in Zagreb. It's 2-2 heading into extra time.

The Milan View:

Joe Spagnoli, RAW's resident Roma fan and European football expert, has had his say ahead of kick-off in Milan.

Stefano Pioli's side face a huge task.

Joe, while you're here, how are you feeling about Bryan Reynolds' start to life in Rome?

Twenty minutes 'till kick-off - some thoughts

Before we get into the Milan-United match, I should point out that Olympiakos are down to ten players. Their task is now much tougher.

Over in Milan, I'm excited to see how Manchester United approach this. I wasn't impressed by Solskjaer's side last week, especially in the first half.

Milan - given the injuries they have - are there for the taking. That isn't to say I think United will win... but they probably should.

Arsenal 3-2 Olympiakos (AGG)

Over in North London, Arteta's side are also up against it.

If Olympiakos score again, Arsenal will be eliminated by away goals. Nervous?

GOAL! ZAGREB!

Well, well, well... Dinamo Zagreb have drawn level with Spurs!

Eight minutes remain, if it stays like this - Mourinho's side are heading into extra time.

@ me next time.

If you would like to take part in the final live blog of the week, reply to the tweet below.

If anything catches your eye (in any of tonight's games), get in touch and I'll try my best to reply here.

The hosts are ready, kick-off in 28 minutes.

A final comment on Trent... (19:24 GMT)

Ben Northcott has the final word on the Trent Alexander-Arnold debate. If anyone wants to write an article on this topic, drop me a message on Facebook or Twitter!

If this discussions has taught us anything, it's this: Southgate has some very big decisions coming up. Could Walker return to his 2018 World Cup role? Maybe, says Ben. Roll on San Marino!

Teams Announced: (19:03 GMT)

Starting off with the hosts, AC Milan...

Milan XI: Donnarumma; Kalulu, Tomori, Kjaer, Hernandez; Kessie, Meite Saelemaekers, Calhanoglu, Krunic; Castillejo

Here's how United line-up this evening:

United XI: Henderson, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes, James, Rashford

More Trent chat! (18:36 GMT)

An interesting counter-punch from Toby:

Possibly not, no. However, I find it odd that Trent has been dropped on account of his poor form when Trippier has just missed a month due to his FIFA suspension.

Of the three, TAA is clearly the future. I'm not sure why Southgate has risked his relationship with the player... it seems a bit odd.

Hi James, @BoarFilm 👋 (18:20 GMT)

I'm not sure TAA has been left out on account of his lack of versatility - he's more than capable of playing as a right-back or wing-back.

(He's currently playing central midfield for my 2030/31 England side on FM21!)

How does your England right-back depth chart look at the moment? I assume this is Southgate's current thinking:

  1. Reece James
  2. Kieran Trippier
  3. Kyle Walker
  4. Trent Alexander-Arnold
  5. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (who is likely to declare for DR Congo)

Trent Out?

Toby Farmer, who was excellent on his live blog debut last night, has had his say on Trent Alexander-Arnold's dropping.

I'm actually not sure I agree. TAA hasn't been at his best - but neither has Jordan Henderson and I doubt he'd have been left out had he remained injury free.

For such a young player, this feels harsh. In a 26-player squad, could Southgate have called TAA up and left him on the bench? It might have been a better way to protect the 22-year-old from the imminent media circus.

News: Spurs and Arsenal confirm XIs (17:15 GMT)

As I covered earlier in the thread, Tottenham and Arsenal are both favourites to make the last eight.

Jose Mourinho has picked a relatively strong side, with Gareth Bale dropping to the bench. Tottenham start this evening 2-0 up against Dinamo Zagreb.

Mikel Arteta has opted for a strong team, too. Club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is restored to the XI after being dropped for the North London Debry due to 'disciplinary issues.'

Arsenal start tonight 3-1 ahead versus Olympiakos. Both sides should progress.

Team News: AC Milan (16:45 GMT)

Tonight's hosts are without a number of key players, Ante Rebic, Alessandro Romagnoli, Davide Calabria, and Rafael Leao are out for Pioli's side.

With the San Siro club so depleted in the final third, losing Leao and Rebic to injury is a huge blow.

Zlatan Ibrahimović, who missed the first leg due to a groin injury, is back in the Milan squad. If there was ever a player built for big occasions, Zlatan is probably it.

Will the Swede start for the Rossoneri? That's the big question.

Tweet me, I'm bored. (16:30 GMT)

If you'd like to join in the conversation, reply to the tweet below!

Have any comments on Gareth Southgate's squad? You're super excited by Darryl Dike's form for Barnsley? Want to discuss why Coventry > Leamington?

Ask me anything...

No TRENT!? (16:27 GMT)

The big news this afternoon is that Trent Alexander-Arnold has been dropped from Gareth Southgate's England squad. Here's what Southgate had to say on the matter:

England Squad Announced (16:11 GMT)

The headline from today's England squad announcement is that Gareth Southgate has not included any Liverpool players.

Jesse Lingard, Luke Shaw, and John Stones have been recalled to Southgate's squad.

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and West Brom keeper Sam Johnstone have been called up for the first time.

England play three games this month:

  • San Marino (H) - 25 March
  • Albania (A) - 28 March
  • Poland (H) - 31 March

"Jesse, of the three, is a bit more fortunate to be in," said Southgate. "Luke and John have performed over a period of time.

"We've got injuries in the attacking areas that have opened up an opportunity for Jesse but, I have to say, his performances for West Ham have been excellent.

"Ideally, you'd be saying you have to do it for a little bit longer but that's not been the option this time around."

Borussia Dortmund teenager Jude Bellingham has been included in the squad but could be forced to withdraw due to coronavirus rules in Germany.

Full List:

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Nick Pope (Burnley).

Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Kyle Walker (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jesse Lingard (West Ham, on loan from Manchester United), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds), Declan Rice (West Ham), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton).

Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).

POLL: Does TAA deserve to be dropped?

(self-)#ad(vertisment) (15:41 GMT)

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of being able to speak to Aaron Murphy, Free Sports' play-by-play ice hockey commentator.

We discussed Murph's career, the NHL, and the return of British ice hockey.

It's a podcast I thoroughly enjoyed recording, I would love it if you took a look!

#FranckKessié Watch (12:36 GMT)

I was really impressed by Frack Kessié in last week's game.

Kessié made 52 ball carries at Old Trafford and was a key factor in AC Milan's offensive transition. The Ivorian midfielder was also involved in 16 pressing actions and completed 89.1% of his 49 passes.

On both sides of the ball, Kessié was one of the most influential players on the pitch. The 24-year-old is a player to watch out for.

Stats via FBref.com.

Around the Grounds: (11:41 GMT)

It's a big night in the UEFA Europa League, with a number of ties (including this one) finely poised. Here are you 17:55 (GMT) kick-offs:

  • Arsenal v Olympiakos (AGG 3-1)
  • Dinamo Zagreb v Tottenham (AGG 0-2)
  • Molde v Granada (AGG 0-2)
  • Shakhtar Donetsk v Roma (AGG 0-3)

And at 20:00...

  • AC Milan v Manchester United (AGG 1-1)
  • Rangers v Salvia Prague (AGG 1-1)
  • Villarreal v Dynamo Kyiv (AGG 2-0)
  • Young Boys v Ajax (AGG 3-0)

It's a huge night for Steven Gerrard's Rangers, will the Scottish Premiership champions reach the last eight? A victory or scoreless draw would see the Ibrox club progress.

Predictions? (11:20 GMT)

I'll make my prediction for tonight's game once the team sheets are out (19:00 GMT). In the meanwhile, here's our poll for this evening's clash.

Team News: Manchester United without Cavani (11:15 GMT)

Helpfully, United released their squad list for tonight's game early.

David De Gea is back in the squad after taking paternity leave. Paul Pogba and Donny van de Beek are also part of the group that has travelled to Italy.

The following players have travelled to Milan for the match:

  • Goalkeepers: De Gea, Henderson, Grant;
  • Defence: Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Telles, Tuanzebe, Wan-Bissaka, Williams;
  • Midfield: Amad, Fernandes, Fred, James, Matic, McTominay, Pogba, van de Beek
  • Forwards: Greenwood, Rashford.

David De Gea is back in the squad after taking paternity leave. Paul Pogba and Donny van de Beek are also part of the group that has travelled to Italy.

That leaves OGS' absentees:

  1. Juan Mata
  2. Nathan Bishop
  3. Eric Bailly 
  4. Shola Shoretire
  5. Anthony Martial
  6. Edinson Cavani

Zlatan Ibrahimović is back! (10:45 GMT)

After missing out on the first leg through injury, Zlatan Ibrahimović is back!

The Swedish forward made 33 Premier League appearances for United in his two years at Old Trafford. Ibrahimović has been in fine form since leaving English football, both in the United States and Italy.

Before I share Pioli and Kjaer's thoughts on Zlatan's return, here's an article by Toby Farmer you should check out.

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Speaking to journalists, Pioli said: "Zlatan's arrival last January - along with Kjær - improved the squad in terms of depth and resilience on the pitch. I don't know if he was good at Sanremo, I didn't watch it, but he's an absolute champion on the pitch and we all expect a lot from him until the end of the season."  

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Kjær, who has played against Ibrahimović while on duty for Denmark, said: "He can always give something, both on and off the pitch, whether he's playing or not. It's difficult for me to talk about the chances of him playing tomorrow evening. But whether it's out on the pitch or in the dressing room, he has the capacity to add so much to the team."

In case you didn't hear... Ibrahimović was restored to the Swedish national team earlier this week. For the record, this was my take:

Press Conference: Stefano Pioli (10:30 GMT)

On the eve of a huge game for the Rossoneri, Milan head coach Pioli spoke to the internal press. He was joined by Norwegian central midfielder Simon Kjær.

"All of the games we've played have improved us and helped us to grow," Pioli said when asked about his side's Europa League run. "However, the results is the important thing tomorrow and we want to progress against a strong opponent. We need to go for the win. Everyone likely joined to be here, but we must not rest. As Kjær said, we've done well until now be we'd be disappointed if we reached the end of the season empty-handed.

"When you prepare for games, you look at the big picture but it's hard to make exact predictions. In the first leg, they tried to be aggressive and we played out from the back really well. The result at Old Trafford shouldn't affect us. Tomorrow, we can't dictate the game; we need to be compact, balanced and dangerous."

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Kjær said: "We must, and can, always improve, the away fixture gave us some indications as to what we need to carry on doing and what we will have to do better."

"We were well aware that we would be facing off against a good team, but at the same time, we also knew that we would create lots of problems for them by playing to the best of our ability. I know Cavani very well, having coached him many years ago at Palermo, and he is an extraordinary attacker. But we're not bothered about who will be playing for the other side, we have a lot of respect for them but we will play in our own way, regardless."

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Press Conference: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (10:00 GMT)

Yesterday, Solskjaer spoke to members of the media ahead of his side's trip to Milan. The Manchester United boss was keen to stress that his side have made progress this season, regardless of whether United lift silverware at the end of the year.

"When you see the culture and what's happening every day, I feel a lot of improvement in the everyday routine and everyday work we do," said Solskjaer.

"The boys have taken on board what we want and it's for others to assess how much of an improvement [has been made].

"We're 12 points ahead of what we were at the same time in the league last season. Of course we're all aiming to win trophies.

"But, as we've said, sometimes a trophy can hide the other fact what's happening at the club. Any cup competition can give you a trophy but sometimes it's more of an ego thing from managers and clubs - 'we've finally won something'.

"We need to see progress and if we progress well enough and perform well enough the trophies will end up at the club again. But it's not like a trophy will say that 'we're back'.

"No. It's the gradual progression and the consistency of being in the top of the league, in and around there, and then add the odd trophies."

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How this works... (09:15 GMT)

If you're new around here, welcome!

Throughout the day, I will be updating the blog with information about tonight's match. From kick-off, I'll be bringing you live updates for the game.

If you would like to see your comments included in the blog, reply to tweets sent by @LukeJames_32 and @BoarSport about the game!

Last night, Boar Sport writer Toby Farmer reported on Chelsea's win over Atletico Madrid. On Tuesday, I was on keyboard duties for Manchester City's comfortable victory over Borussia Monchengladbach.

And it's live! (09:00 GMT)

Welcome back to the final 'Matchday Live' blog of the week.

Tonight, Manchester United travel to Italy to face AC Milan in the Europa League round of sixteen. Following their draw at Old Trafford last week, the sides enter tonight's fixture tied 1-1 on aggregate.

A week ago, Amad Diallo opened the scoring for the Red Devils after the break, flicking a looping header over the reach of Gianluigi Donnarumma. However, it wasn't to be for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side: Franck Kessie equalised for the visitors in the final minute of injury time.

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