Ibrahimovic back to face former club when Milan hosts Manchester United

The Sweden forward, who played for United from 2016-18, has missed Milan's past four matches with a left thigh injury.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be fit enough to face his former club when AC Milan hosts Manchester United in the Europa League on Thursday.

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Serie A - AS Roma v AC Milan - Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy - February 28, 2021 AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Alberto Lingria/File Photo (REUTERS)

The Sweden forward, who played for United from 2016-18, has missed Milan's past four matches with a left thigh injury. That ruled him out of a return to Old Trafford, where Milan snatched a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the round of 16.

Milan coach Stefano Pioli said Wednesday that Ibrahimovic has recovered sufficiently to play some part in Thursday's match but would not confirm whether the 39-year-old Ibrahimovic would be part of the starting lineup.

“We'll see what choices I'll make tomorrow,” Pioli said.

“His return to the squad is important for us but clearly he won't be able to play for 90 minutes.”

Milan has won only one of the four matches during Ibrahimovic's absence and has slipped nine points behind Serie A leader Inter Milan.

It was the fourth spell on the sidelines for Ibrahimovic this season after testing positive for the coronavirus and two other injuries to his left leg.

Ibrahimovic has nevertheless scored 14 goals in as many league matches.