Manchester United vs AC Milan: 5 players to watch | Europa League 2020-21 

Manchester United will host AC Milan on Thursday
Manchester United will host AC Milan on Thursday

#3 Franck Kessie (AC Milan)

Kessie will play a key role for AC Milan against Manchester United
Kessie will play a key role for AC Milan against Manchester United

This fixture between Manchester United and AC Milan is likely to be won or lost in midfield and Franck Kessie will play a key role in determining who wins the midfield battle.

The Ivory Coast international has been in fine form for AC Milan this season, with his strength, technique and ball-carrying abilities helping him dictate the tempo of games effectively.

He also poses a threat from penalties and has an almost unerring accuracy from 12 yards.

#2 Luke Shaw (Manchester United)

Luke Shaw has been in fine form for Manchester United
Luke Shaw has been in fine form for Manchester United

Given the importance of the fixture and strength of the opponent, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is more likely to field a full-strength squad.

There are arguably not too many players in the current United set-up who are more important than Luka Shaw.

The former Southampton man has had an inconsistent career till this season but has begun to fulfil the promise expected off him from his teenage years.

Perhaps it was due to the arrival of Alex Telles, but it can be argued that Shaw is currently playing the best football of his Manchester United career.

The quality of his delivery has vastly improved and he has now become a serious threat in the final third after facing years of criticism over his limited output in attack.

Shaw's spectacular goal in the Manchester derby on Sunday will ensure there is a spring in his steps when AC Milan come visiting.

#1 Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

Bruno Fernandes is Manchester United's most important player
Bruno Fernandes is Manchester United's most important player

There are no prizes for guessing who the number one player to watch out for in this fixture was.

Bruno Fernandes has been nothing short of spectacular since joining Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020.

The 26-year-old has racked up 35 goals and 21 assists from just 63 games in all competitions for the Red Devils and his form has seen him break a host of records at Old Trafford.

The Portugal international is capable of almost single-handedly deciding this tie and can hurt the visitors with his goalscoring threat, as well as his vision and creativity.

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