Rashford out of Milan tie, Cavani doubtful says Solskjaer

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has been ruled out of their Europa League last-16 first leg match against AC Milan with an ankle injury while striker Edinson Cavani is a doubt, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Wednesday.

United have a number of players missing due to injuries with midfielder Paul Pogba still sidelined with a thigh issue while Donny van de Beek and Juan Mata are also unavailable.

“(Rashford) didn’t train today. Normally very optimistic but I think he’s out of tomorrow night and a doubt for the weekend (against West Ham United in the Premier League),” Solskjaer told reporters ahead of Thursday’s game.

“I’m not sure if anyone will be back. David (De Gea), no. Donny, no. Juan, no. Edinson, maybe. Rashford, no. Similar side to Sunday (that beat Manchester City in the Premier League).”

De Gea is on paternity leave following the birth of his first child with Dean Henderson deputizing in goal.

Cavani’s father fanned transfer speculation on Tuesday when he said the Uruguayan striker was uncomfortable in England and wanted to return to South America, especially after his three-game ban for an Instagram post where he used an offensive word.

However, Solskjaer said Cavani, who signed a one-year contract with an option for another year, was “focused on being available” as he recovers from a knock.

“From my bad Portuguese and his better English he’s very proud to play for Man United. He’s always going to give his best. If it’s beyond this season as well a decision hasn’t been made,” Solskjaer said of the 34-year-old.

“We’re just working on getting him back on the pitch and fit. We’ll convince him when the weather in Manchester improves.

“He’s proving his personality, his professionalism. He’s really helping the young kids, as we wanted him to. He will make his decision, he knows we are very fond of what he has given to the club even if he has played less than he wanted to.”

Pioli savours clash but says AC Milan are aiming higher
Stefano Pioli says AC Milan are building towards returning to the top of European football ahead of a Europa League tie against Manchester United on Thursday.

The last-16 clash marks a meeting of two of Europe’s most decorated sides, who have won 10 European Cup/Champions League titles between them.

But Pioli said that the Europa League is not the level that the Rossoneri want to be competing at in the future ahead of his side’s trip to Old Trafford.

“(Milan director) Paolo Maldini said something relevant not long ago, that to become a pretender to the crown in the Champions League you need to play in that competition for several years,” the coach told a news conference.

“That’s the level we’re aspiring to and we’ve had some good performances and results. We’ve still got a long way to go but can go forward with conviction and enthusiasm.”

Both sides are currently second place in their respective leagues, with Milan trailing Serie A leaders Inter by six points and United sitting 11 points behind Manchester City in the Premier League.

The winner of this tie will be considered among the favourites to win the competition given their domestic form.

“I don’t think it’s an ‘early final’ because a lot of good teams are left in the competition,” Pioli said.

“But it is a prestigious game between two teams with a lot of history in Europe. We want to work well and get back to winning at the highest level.”

Milan travel to Manchester without important players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Hakan Calhanoglu, Ismael Bennacer, Theo Hernandez, Mario Mandzukic and Ante Rebic, and Pioli was asked if a draw would be a good first leg result.

“We have to play each game on its merits,” he said.

“We must have great conviction, while respecting a team coming down from the Champions League. Getting a positive result tomorrow would give us an important boost ahead of the return leg.”