Europa draw sets up return for Zlatan

ZLATAN Ibrahimovic is returning to Old Trafford after Manchester United were drawn against his AC Milan side in a mouth-watering Europa League last-16 tie.

The 39-year-old striker made himself a fan favourite during his short spell in the North West, 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 too, but a serious knee injury in the quarter-final win against Anderlecht ruled him out of the remainder of the campaign.

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

Stefano Pioli’s men are second in Serie A and are set to provide tough opposition for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, with Old Trafford set to host the first leg on March 11 before the return fixture at San Siro on March 18.

North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham could have drawn each other, but were kept apart.

The Gunners face Olympiacos, so will return to Piraeus, where they played their round of 32 second leg against Benfica due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Jose Mourinho’s Spurs have been drawn against Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb, while Rangers’ reward for beating Antwerp is a clash against Slavia Prague, who shocked Leicester City in the last 32 on Thursday.