Allegri raises doubt over Robinho future

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has revealed that he is playing youngster M'Baye Niang because he is unsure whether Robinho will stay at the club next season.

Robinho was heavily linked with a move back to Brazil in the winter transfer window but recently insisted that he is staying at Milan for the forseeable future.

He was benched on Sunday's 1-0 win over Atalanta, with Giampaolo Pazzini, Niang and Stephane El Shaarawy preferred ahead of him, and Allegri confirmed that it was planned with a view to Robinho's uncertain future.

"I don't know if Robinho will still be here next season, so for the moment I am choosing M'Baye Niang because he gives me more guarantees," Allegri told reporters.