Milan’s Zlatan to face old club Man Utd in Europa League last 16

PARIS: Zlatan Ibrahimovic will take on his old club Manchester United after they were paired with his current team AC Milan in the last 16 of the Europa League in Friday’s draw in Nyon.

Milan and Ibrahimovic will do battle with United, who beat Real Sociedad 4-0 on aggregate in the previous round, in a two-legged encounter after the seven-time European champions squeezed past Red Star Belgrade on away goals on Thursday.

Veteran forward Ibrahimovic won the 2017 edition of the Europa League with Premier League giants United in a twoyear spell at the club.

He was a big success in particular during his first season at United, where he won over fans with his goals and exciting play before a serious knee injury suffered in their Europa League last eight tie with Anderlecht ended his 2016-17 campaign.

“I’ve been so impressed, I’ve got to say, by how his career has gone,” United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told the club’s website.

“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. They’re on the up and have done really well this season.

“It’s one of the those draws again that you feel could be a Champions League game.

“It’s good for us to have these games to look forward to.”