Milan vs Manchester United-this match is arguably the most exciting fixture in the knock-out stage.
The below analysis and prediction reflect my opinion only,and need not to be exact.I maybe a bit biased

First of all,why is this match going to be a mouth-watering clash?
It's the draw neither side wanted.Its always exciting to see giants fighting face-to-face-and this is the exact situation in this fixture.Both the teams are going to meet after 2 years in the European stage and that too,both teams in a same type of situation-Milan without their former icon Kaka and Man Utd without their former superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.And the homecoming of David Beckham to Old Trafford makes things even interesting.And don't forget this is only the Knock-out round-both the teams doesn't sound like going home in the early period.
Lets look at strengths and weaknesses of both the teams.

AC Milan:Weaknesses
I am a Milan fan,but still I cannot hide the fact that Milan's mid-filed is a bit slow.The much needed pace to compete with a premiere league giant is missing in the mid-field.And Milan's defence is not looking solid as well;Milan completely relying Nesta.Milan's lack of quality side-backs adds fuel to the fire.To sum it up simply,Milan without Nesta will be an Elephant without a trunk
Also Milan doesn't have a world-class forwards.Of course,Borriello is looking good,but still he is not world class and remember Pato is just 20!

AC Milan:Strengths


Now coming back to the positives.Milan's midfield lack pace;but not the quality.A few may dispute if I declare Pirlo as one of the best holding mid-fielders.And Ambrosini is fast turning into a leader of Milan-ditching and bossing around in the mid-field.So,it seems that Milan's mid-field is a solid package.Pirlo for offering the attacking dimension and Ambrosini offering the defensive dimension.And who can question Becks's qualities?He still has those God-given crossing abilities.
Coming to the defence:Nesta and Silva form the best CB partnership in the Lega Calcio,so if fit,surely both can manage the minuses of fragile side-backs.
Now to the attack:Borriello may not be world class,but he is solid and no nonsense.And most important strength of Milan is the Ronaldinho-Pato pair-up.Ronaldinho,is back to his very best,again leading the assist chart in the Serie A with 8 superb assists.And his scoring rate looks pretty good too.And Pato has been phenomenal this season-scoring almost a goal per game.And the telepathic connection between Ronaldinho and Pato,is a threat to any defence.And Super Pippo's magic is a big plus point for the Rossoneri.
Plus,Man Utd's defence are going to have serious problems in dealing with Milan's set pieces-as Milan have three of the world's best set piece taker,ie,Pirlo,Dinho and Becks.
And Milan have a superb record in the European stage-so the tradition is only going to help them.

Manchester United:Weaknesses
Man Utd's midfield is also no short of problems.It still remains a big question mark.Scholes is way out of his prime and doesn't look solid defensive wise and attacking wise.And the injury hit Man Utd's defence may lose control over the Ultra Attacking opponents with 3 forwards.Antonio Valencia looks good,but still he is doubtful whether he has fully filled Ronaldo's boots.And in the front line,Berbatov is surely inconsistent and remain a enigma.Rooney can't lead the front-line all by himself.And Man Utd's set-piece abilities are questionable;no real set-piece expert.

Manchester United:Strengths


The pace of evergreen Ryan Giggs is definitely going to trouble Milan's slow Side backs.And the Antonio Valencia looks no short of pace as well-so its gonna' be a hard time for the Milan's side-backs.
Milan's most of the goals come from Pato-so neutralizing him should do the trick.Its Patrick Evra-one of the solid left backs in the prem to deal with him.The fans won't be too surprised if young Pato was kept in check by Evra.So,its gonna' be a tough day for the young Brazilian.And,Man Utd's defence is mature;so its again a no surprise if they allowed Pato and lonely Borriello 0% space.
The Rooney factor:Manchester faithful say,having Rooney is like having 2 players in the squad-and that doesn't sound too exagerrated.Rooney is on a fine run of form,leading the prem's Top Scorers.And he is not just a scoring machine-his work rate is unbelievable and is no short of confidence and power.Milan's center backs could even have a night mare when dealing with Wayne.And also Michael Owen could be used as a super-sub;his pace will definitely be useful for the Red Devils.

And,this finishes my analysis.*breathes deeply*

Predictions:

First Leg:AC Milan 1-1 Manchester United
(Scorers:Ronaldinho,Rooney)

Second Leg:Manchester United 1-2 AC Milan
(Scorers:Borriello,Pato,Rooney)

So,what do you think?Is it gonna' be Milan or Man Utd?What are your match predictions?

Whew. It's going to be interesting no matter what. What I see is two teams with high-power scoring capability, good midfields, and less-than-100% defence. That equation, with no more variables, would lead to a pretty high-scoring game.

But I think the winner will be the strongest midfield at the word "go". For Man UTD that's a lot easier; Valencia, to me, is taking up Ronny's boots, but losing the unnecessary stuff. He lacks the free-kick mastery, but he's got the mobility, flair, etc. Ronny had (in a way I think he's a little bit better for it). I think for Man UTD he's key to their midfield.

Now Ac Milan.... Aging? The whole midfield has to have their act together and control the ball. And they need to score first. It will not unsettle United to score first, but if United scores it's a tough, tough fight back. So win the game before you lose it.... Yeah. Fundamental footy

Honestly I can't see how you say our midfield is weak, yes scholes is past his prime but still has good games and is hardly a weak link, there is also Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher and Gibson.

Also the united defence is pretty much back to 100%, with vidic returning against pompy and Wes Brown back from injury and playing well.

Also Valencia wasnt bought to 'fill' ronaldos boots, he bought to play well in the current formation, which he is and he doing a mighty fine job.

I believe the most interesting match up will be Pato (Right wing) coming up against Evra (left back). Will be interesting to see how Pato plays against evra, who in my opinion is the best leftback in the world. They are both very skilled and whos games are speed based.

I think uniteds biggest weakness is complacency, they seem at times to be to comfortable and play less intense. Then sometimes they will wake up and just start dominating even some of the best teams. For AC it comes down to there consistency over the two matches.

Predictions:

First Leg: AC Milan 1-1 Manchester United
(Scorers:Ronaldinho, Rooney)

Second Leg: Manchester United 3-1 AC Milan
(Scorers:Rooney x2, Pato, Valencia)

Second leg Man utd will score a goal or two really early in the game and then it will be pretty even after that.

Personally ManU seem a bit to strong. Milan are a great team but last time Mialn bet them Kaka was in the team now he is gone hopes are on players like Pato who is injured right now and Ronaldinho who has been a star and in good form.
ManU are just a team who know how to win and the midfield isn't as strong as in recent years but its not weak possibly lacking in quality but experience is key to the big battle and players like Giggs and Scholes will know how to deal with the pressure

I think it will be a game with so many goals, I also belive that full Milan squad will beat Manchester, but that depends on our injuries!

1st leg: 2-1 AC milan
2nd leg: 3-1 Man Utd

Even with no [C.] Ronaldo, United have shown to be able to win the big ones none more impressive than they way they battled back to beat Man City in the Cup. AC just too inconsistent for me to put them through this time and Ronaldinho disappeared in a big game v. Inter which is not good indication. But sure hope I'm wrong

I love Milan.
If the play at their best, they can really beat United, but we really need to play well.
I think that playing decently, the score will be 3-2 for United.
Rooney will really trouble our defence.
However, I hope that Milan win!

1-1 in milan
3-0 in old trafford
4-1 united

Milan did have a good run for a while, but their last 3 games have been a draw and 2 losses. Whereas United are playing very strong. Vidic, and Ferdinand will both be back (although tbh, I'm not sure they are our best 2 centre d anymore.) Barring some disaster vs villa, I can't see united losing. Beckham won't be that great a factor. It will come to the old guys on milan not being able to keep up with valencia, rooney, park, and nani. The pace in the epl is furious compared to that in italy. I also expect milan to concede a penalty shot. The teams havent changed alot since the last meeting. (only, each teams most talented player joined madrid.) but if I remember correctly it was all kaka that beat united. Milan were more reliant on him I think, than united were reliant on ronaldo.

Edit milans form now currently 2 draws, 2 losses

Both teams are far from their best yet find themselves in the top of the tables. Both have really struggled to find the net this season and both have had their defensive failures. I think United is in a bit better position though. Seem to be scoring confidently and defence is coming back together.
I just hope United don't sit back in defence at San Siro. I would would hate to give Dinho and Pato any more chances than they absolutely earn.
Like you posted, Milan's defence is a bit dodgy, especially outside, which only invites the likes of Valencia to come on in and make trouble, sucking Nesta/Silva out leaving Rooney free.

Conservative 1-1 at Milan
Aggressive 2-0 at Manchester

Glory Glory Man United!

Okay.... Man UTD are certainly the favorites to win but for some strange reasons I gotta' feeling that Ac Milan is gonna' get through to the next round.
And here is my prediction:

1st leg:Ac Milan 2-2 Man utd. (Scorers:Ronaldinho(pen), Borriello, Rooneyx2)

2nd leg:Man utd 1-2 Ac Milan. (Scorers:Berba, Ambrosini, Pato)

But if Nesta isn't playing, Milan don't have any chance of winning unless Man UTD decide to give away.

Good thread Pragster, rather good analysis and preview of the big game. The thing about a European tie for me is, league form does carry over into European games but its not the determining factor. Right from the time the draw was made, everybody has been saying it'll be United going through from this tie and on paper and results and form this season it certainly looks that way.

Probably going to sound biased here but apart from wanting AC Milan to win this one, I have a hunch that they will get one over United. Not going too much into depth of detail, its truly a matter of who turns up that night. I know AC Milan just had a dire draw (if I'm right) the last game and United won by 5 goals against Pompey. United have a good midfield despite other claims, crisp passing, movement, Evra is a menace down the flank, its going to be a tough game. Having said that though, if Milan performs to potential wih a game plan for United, clogging up the midfield, Pirlo playing his usual role from the deep and took the game to United, it could all go the other way. Just can't give too much time in the middle for United to hold the ball and dictate play, they're bound to score more often than not. Has happened before, United were expected to win against Milan in 07(?) with Rooney and Ronaldo and it was just an off night.

Again, all of that was based on a scenario were Milan took the game by the scruff, not going by how the season has been so far . Throw in Pippo after the 75th minute to twist the dagger deep!

1st leg: Milan 3-1 Man Utd.
2nd leg: United 2-2 Milan.

Stranger things have happened, just ask a Liverpool fan

It'll be interesting no matter what happens. But.... With the form we are currently on I believe we can come out on top. Plus in the past few weeks Milan haven't been at their best, and I hope they stay that way for the match. Yes, I'm one of the many people that think United will win, but I'm not based, I have reasons.

Man Utd have the Rooney factor. What's that? Yes it's the beast - Can he stop scoring? He has an ultimate desire of beating the crap out of the team he's facing, and being as good as he is, that's scary. Will he score in one of the legs? Undoubtedly yes, he hasn't Not scored in a match for how long now? I can't even remember.

Also the rest of our team isn't in bad form either. The rest of our strikers aren't doing to bad. Berbatov is doing great at supporting Rooney and getting a goal himself a lot, and his control is amazing. And then you have good strikers like Owen, Welback, and Diouf wanting to impress. Vidic is as strong as ever, as is Evra. I hope We have Rafael back there as he would be my Faveorite for right back position and Johnny Evans is looking good.

We're looking at a strong midfeild too. With a really strong Valencia on the right and an ever impressing Nani on the left flank. In the Center we've got deep quality. With Carrick, Anderson, and Fletcher looking good. A still gold Scholes working for us, and Gibson looking to impress. We'd be awesome with Hargreaves. We also got other great wingers like Giggs and Park.

My Prediction is:

1st leg: Man Utd 2-1 Milan
2nd leg: Man Utd 2-0 Milan

But anything could happen

Feeling confident

I Think,
1st leg: Milan 1-1 Man utd
2nd leg: Man Utd 1-0 Milan

I understand Milan are a team to fear, but nani has some how been given this boost in skill and is playing better than ever. Rooney is well the best forward in the world at the moment, you can argue that but for a few games he carried one of the biggest clubs in the world.

I think Milan will put up a fight, but if Nesta aint playing there defence will be even worst than Man Utd. I still think it be close but I can see Nani and Giggs controling the wings all game

Why Defence Will Make Or Break Milan v Manchester United.

Link: www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2010/02/11/178...

Good article there.Defensive attributes of both AC Milan and Man Utd nicely compared