AC Milan boss Sinisa Mihajlovic on Mario Balotelli: 'Leave the kid alone'

Despite Mario Balotelli's insistence that he's a man now, his new boss Sinisa Mihajlovic has urged the media to "leave the kid alone."

Related: 3 reasons why Mario Balotelli will succeed in second spell at AC Milan

Balotelli joined AC Milan on loan this week from Liverpool, after he was sold to the Reds from Milan just last year.

Speaking ahead of Friday's game against Empoli, the AC Milan manager would not disclose whether it would mark the 25-year-old's return for the Rossoneri.

"When he's ready he'll play. If he behaves well he'll play. Leave the kid alone," the Serb told reporters.

The assembled media members were insistent, though, wanting a definitive answer on whether the storied striker would be in the matchday squad. Mihajlovic stood firm, saying, "There's no point in saying whether he'll play or won't play, what he ate, how he dresses."

If Balotelli is not selected for the Empoli match, his next opportunity to play will come against Inter Milan, where he started his career.

The controversial forward had a miserable time on Merseyside, scoring just one goal in 16 Premier League appearances and playing his last competitive game in April.