Manchester United have confirmed that Diogo Dalot will be eligible to face his parent club when the Red Devils take on AC Milan in the Europa League round-of-16.
United booked their place in the last-16 with a 4-0 aggregate win over Real Sociedad, while the Rossoneri earned their passage courtesy of the away goals rule against Red Star.
It’s a tie steeped in European pedigree and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke of his delight at the draw, claiming it’s a game that belongs in the Champions League.
He told the club’s official site: “We do have the tradition of making it hard for ourselves in draws. It’s one of the those draws again that you feel could be a Champions League game.
(Image: Getty Images)
“It’s good for us to have these games to look forward to. This team needs challenges and we enjoy challenges and we embrace them.
“The tradition and history of AC Milan, it’s a great club that we welcome and it’s a great stadium that we go to there, and we’re looking forward to it.”
When the first leg kicks off at Old Trafford, there will be a few familiar faces in the visitors’ matchday squad.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is of course Milan’s talisman, with the maverick striker belying his age scoring 16 goals in 20 games in his age 39 season.
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Ibrahimovic enjoyed two seasons with United, helping to win the EFL Cup and Europa League under Jose Mourinho.
On the Swede, Solskjaer added: “Of course, I’ve been so impressed, I’ve got to say, by how his career has gone. He had a career-threatening injury when he was here but came back from that and went to MLS, then came back to Milan and has really lifted them.”
Elsewhere, Dalot is set to be involved, despite joining the Italian giants on a season long loan during the summer window.
The Portuguese has been deemed surplus to requirements by Solskajer and was allowed to move to the San Siro to earn more regular football.
In total, Dalot has played 20 times in all competitions and the United boss has been happy to see him get more regular minutes, but hopes to make it difficult for him when the two sides meet.
“Diogo we know. He went there to get some experience at a big club and he’s learned a lot.
“He’s played a lot more games this season, kept fit and, hopefully, we can give him some bother!”
