Michael Owen has predicted Manchester United to win against AC Milan in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
Premier League club United will take on Serie A outfit Milan at Old Trafford in the first leg of their Europa League Round of 16 tie.
Former United striker Owen has backed the Red Devils to win the game 1-0.
Owen said: “Manchester United and AC Milan have shared quite a few memorable ties in years gone by. Often this has been in Europe’s premier competition, the Champions League, but now they reacquaint in the Europa with both sides at similar stages of rebuilding after a few years of transition.
“Known for their formidable counter-attacking style, United will no doubt be happy to let Milan come at them. However, the Italians are a clever side, so I don’t think United will get it all their own way.
“With that in mind, I can see this being cagey. At home in Europe, United have played well overall this season, and I think if they are patient here, they should get their reward. So, it’s a narrow win for the home side for me.”
United will head into the match against AC Milan on the back of a 2-0 win against Manchester City away from home at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League.
The win in the Manchester derby has given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side a slim chance of catching Pep Guardiola’s team at the top of the league table.
The Red Devils will also be keen on winning the Europa League, but getting the better of Milan over two legs will not be easy.
The former Premier League champions will be without the injured Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani, while David de Gea is absent due to the birth of his child.
Milan are having a good season in Serie A and are only six points behind leaders and city rivals Inter Milan in second place in the table at the moment.
The Rossoneri will be without star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic due to a thigh problem, which means that the Swede will not get to play against his former club.
Theo Hernandez, Ismael Bennacer, Hakan Calhanoglu, Ante Rebic and Mario Mandzukic are unavailable as well.