Ibrahimovic set for Old Trafford return with AC Milan

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC will return to Old Trafford after Manchester United were drawn against AC Milan in a mouth-watering Europa League last-16 tie.

The 39-year-old striker established himself as a fan favourite during his short spell at United, scoring in the Community Shield and EFL Cup triumphs in 2016/’17.

Ibrahimovic played a key role in that season’s victorious Europa League run, but a serious knee injury in the quarter-finals against Anderlecht ruled him out of the remainder of the campaign.

The Swede only made seven more United appearances and looked set to wind down his career when he moved to LA Galaxy in March 2018, but has flourished since returning to Milan.

Ibrahimovic will head back to the club he scored 29 goals for in 53 appearances on March 11, before the last-16 tie is decided at San Siro on March 18 – fixtures on-loan United defender Diogo Dalot is eligible for.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was celebrating his 48th birthday yesterday, told club media: “It’s a nice birthday gift, isn’t it? To watch that draw!

“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.”

Tottenham will face Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb and are due to play the second leg at home, but UEFA said that the “fixtures may be switched pending confirmation of Covid-19 travel restrictions” in this tie.

Arsenal have been drawn against old foes Olympiacos, who knocked them out of the Europa League last season.

Meanwhile, runaway Scottish Premiership leaders Rangers will face Slavia Prague, who shocked Premier League high-flyers Leicester on Thursday.

EUROPA LEAGUE LAST-16 DRAW (first legs to be played on March 11, second legs on March 18): Ajax v Young Boys; Dynamo Kiev v Villarreal; Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk; Olympiakos v Arsenal; Dinamo Zagreb v Tottenham; Manchester United v AC Milan; Slavia Prague v Rangers; Granada v Molde.