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In their first European meeting in more than a decade, Manchester United will host AC Milan at Old Trafford in a crunch 2020-21 Europa League Round of 16 affair.
All their ten previous clashes have come in the European Cup/Champions League, with their last one coming in 2010. Both sides have claimed the spoils equally with five wins apiece. However, the Red Devils prevailed in both legs of their last European matchup.
Winds of change have blown over both sides since then, and neither Manchester United nor AC Milan are the same continental forces they used to be.
Yet, the sheer number of talented stars in both camps makes their latest tie still worth looking forward to. However, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to miss his reunion with his old colleagues.
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Coincidentally, both AC Milan and Manchester United, who are second in their respective league tables, have been deemed as the dark horses in this competition.
However, with one side's European sojourn set to end after this round, we look forward to a mouth-watering two-legged tie between these two European greats.
Manchester United vs AC Milan - Combined XI:
Ahead of Thursday's highly-anticipated kick-off, let's have a look at how Manchester United and AC Milan would stack up in an enticing hypothetical combined XI:
Goalkeeper - Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan)
With David De Gea unlikely to play, the door's open for Manchester United's Dean Henderson to pull on the gloves. But his AC Milan counterpart slots in here, as he has far more influential for his side and has delivered in the big games too.
Given everything the Italian has accomplished with the Rossoneri over the years, it's pretty difficult to believe Gianluigi Donnarumma is still only 22.
This season, Gianluigi Donarumma has kept nine clean sheets in the league. Even though he's yet to open his account in Europe, the time's perfect to finally do that.
Right-back: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United)
He has got his fair share of criticism lately, but Manchester United's Wan-Bissaka bounced back with a terrific performance against Manchester City at the weekend.
With a hand in four goals this campaign, this is turning out to be his most productive season yet. The fact that he has started every single league game he has been available for shows his importance at Manchester United.
Centre-back: Simon Kjaer (AC Milan)
An unsung hero for AC Milan, Simon Kjaer arrived from Sevilla last January and has considerably improved their defence.
He might not be a goal-scoring threat, but Kjaer makes up for that by providing the necessary sweat and steel at the back.
Centre-back: Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
Following a tough first year, where he struggled with inconsistency and off-field controversies, Harry Maguire is finally starting to deliver for Manchester United.
The added responsibility of captaincy seems to be getting the best out of him, as Maguire has also chipped in with two goals and an assist in the league this campaign.
Left-back: Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
The 25-year old Luke Shaw is finally witnessing a renaissance in his career, as he has performed to the level everyone hoped for when he first arrived in 2014 as the world's most expensive teenager.
Shaw has been in fine fettle so far this season, delivering quality at both ends of the pitch.
Defensive midfielder: Franck Kessie (AC Milan)
The strapping Ivorian has been a revelation for the Rossoneri this season. Franck Kessie has scored nine league goals, the highest for the team after Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Kessie is finally living up to the hype which surrounded his arrival three years ago. He has truly stepped up for his side in the veteran Swede's absence.
While it's true that most of his goals have come from the penalty spot, Kessie has shown incredible accuracy from the dead-ball, usurping the 39-year old as AC Milan's designated penalty-taker.
Defensive Midfielder: Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
While all praise is normally lavished on Manchester United's attackers, the influence of the dynamic and tireless Scott McTominay cannot be stated enough.
He adds drive and desire from central midfield. McTominay has netted seven goals in all competitions this season and dropped a masterclass in the Manchester derby at the weekend.
The best part about him is that the Scot is only 24 years old and far from a finished article.
Left Winger: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Consistency has not been Marcus Rashford's forte this season. But that hasn't stopped the Manchester United winger from scoring 18 goals and making 12 assists in 41 games in all competitions.
His form in Europe has been particularly impressive, though, showing that even when he's not at his best, Rashford can deliver on the big nights.
Attacking Midfielder: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
The impact of Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford can be gauged from his ridiculous stats, without which Manchester United would have been nowhere near where they are right now.
The Portuguese ace is currently on a rough patch of form but has still managed to score 23 times while chipping in with 13 assists.
Right Winger: Ante Rebic (AC Milan)
The Croatian is a left winger by trade, but his form lately means he will not miss out on a place in our hypothetical combined XI.
Despite struggling with injuries and COVID-19 enforced absences, Ante Rebic has scored five times and assisted eight goals for the Rossoneri this season.
Striker: Anthony Martial (Manchester United)
Despite a slight dip in form this season, Antony Martial gets the nod over Rafael Leao, who still has a long way to go.
Martial has scored just seven times all season but has the experience of playing in big games and possesses terrier-like energy.
