England v Italy: Should Milan pick Marco Borriello, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar or Filippo Inzaghi against Manchester United?

MARCO BORRIELLO

Borriello is the man in possession. In his first full season as a Rossoneri starter, he has largely been picked by Leonardo whenever fit. His goals return has been steady, if unspectacular, as Milan have overcome a difficult start to the campaign to launch challenges at home and abroad. The coach’s new 4-2-1-3 come 4-3-3 system, originally dreamt up to effectively include both Ronaldinho and Clarence Seedorf in the same line-up, has played into Borriello’s hands to an extent. The central point of the attack has needed to display strength and aerial ability in an otherwise flair-heavy formation, suiting the Italian’s game down to the ground.

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But on Wednesday, Milan need goals. And whilst Borriello has chipped in with a fair number this season, this is not his strongest hand. An out-and-out goal-getter he is not. Forget his 20-plus goal season at Genoa which prompted his return to San Siro, for that tally was based around the same belligerent work he does now, just in a team more reliant upon him. If he’s to start against Manchester United, it will be a game he will need to play quite differently. He’s going to need to get into goalscoring positions much more often, as well as show an ability to create chances for himself. Whether he has that in his locker is still very much open to question.

Goal.com UK verdict - Matt Monaghan:

"Borriello has turned in to an excellent 'battering-ram' of a centre forward and could be a handful for Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. He holds the ball up expertly and if he can grab the attention of United's centre backs, this could be just the space that Ronaldinho needs to strike.

"Although he has scored more goals this season, it remains to be seen if he can add the clinical edge so missing in the first leg for Milan."

KLAAS-JAN HUNTELAAR

The Dutchman had a nightmare first half of the season but has started to show the odd glimpse of what he is really capable of in recent times. Pouncing on the recent injury concerns over Borriello, the ‘Hunter’ has found the net more regularly of late, finally making himself a realistic alternative to the Italian first choice. His goals record at Ajax was phenomenal, whilst his return for Real Madrid was more than acceptable, registering regularly as the Blancos pushed an unstoppable Barcelona all the way for the Liga title, but he has famously struggled to repeat such achievements at the San Siro.

His movement, even during his recent rejuvenation in front of goal, has not looked like that of a serial marksman, as he has continued to look short of confidence – belief even – in his ability to make his Milan spell a success. But what he does have is that clinical eye when he finds himself in front of goal, and if the Diavoli are to down the Red Devils, they may well need a full 90 minutes of his goal threat to help them finish off the job. For one of the first times this season, he is a realistic alternative to Borriello for a starting shirt on a big night.

Goal.com UK verdict - Matt Monaghan:

"Wayward finishing let United off the hook in the first leg and there isn't a great deal of evidence to suggest that performance was just a one-off. Since leaving Ajax, he has flopped abroad and has been overlooked each time by Sir Alex Ferguson.

"His lack of pace and strength won't trouble United, and only if he has his shooting boots on will he force the Red Devils to sweat."

FILIPPO INZAGHI

‘Super Pippo’ may have all the pedigree in the world, but he has seen very little match action this season as his ageing legs have provided the biggest hindrance to his hopes of competing for a regular start. The desire and eye for goal have still been on show, and his brace at Marseille on Matchday 1 of the Champions League turned out to be Milan’s most important contribution in the group phase. But since then he has failed to make any impact of note, living up to the ‘Inzaghi was born offside’ billing more and more, his natural game of living on the shoulder of the last man being hampered by his body’s inability to be nearly as sharp as his mind.

So can he really do a job for Milan against Manchester United? Why not?

This is the kind of stage Inzaghi relishes. He was already being looked upon as a spent force in 2007 when he played the role of opportunist to perfection to earn the trophy for the Rossoneri. His ability to occupy the minds of two or more of the backline for every second of the game is uncanny, and it may be an important ingredient on Wednesday. Chances are, Leonardo would only use Pippo from the start as part of a dual strike force against United, but it’s not an option that should be dismissed out of hand. It may be the one which could see Milan through.

Goal.com UK verdict - Matt Monaghan:

"Sir Alex Ferguson has a begrudging respect for Inzaghi built up over years of European competition. They were regular nemesises when Inzaghi tormented United while playing for Juventus, and the Scot never forgets.

"What Inzaghi lacks in legs he more than makes up for in nous. With United's defence surprisingly porous at the San Siro, 'Pippo' will be the man the Old Trafford support will have to watch out for as he needs no invitation to swoop."