Manchester United concluded their pre-season schedule with a 4-2 defeat against AC Milan in Wroclaw. The match saw United take the lead twice but ultimately succumb to a late surge from Ruben Amorim‘s side, who secured their first victory under the former United boss.
The game, a week before United‘s Premier League opener against Hull City, marked the return of key players. Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, and Lisandro Martinez all made their initial pre-season appearances. Captain Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans played the entire 90 minutes.
Despite the loss, there were no new injury concerns reported for manager Michael Carrick following a six-match pre-season campaign. However, midfielder Mason Mount, who sustained a foot issue in Gothenburg a week prior, remained sidelined after it was initially dismissed as a precaution. This injury has kept him out for nearly three full matches.
Match Details and Defensive Concerns
Harry Maguire opened the scoring for Manchester United within the first two minutes of the game. However, AC Milan equalised through Samuel Chukwueze after Bruno Fernandes had a penalty saved by Lorenzo Torriani. United regained the lead shortly after half-time with a goal from Patrick Dorgu.
AC Milan then scored three late goals to secure their win. Goncalo Ramos, Alphadjo Cisse, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek contributed to Milan‘s victory. Loftus-Cheek‘s goal involved him outpacing Martinez before scoring past Senne Lammens, whose performance prevented a larger deficit for United.
The match highlighted some defensive vulnerabilities for Manchester United. Three of Milan‘s four goals were close-range efforts. Concerns were raised about Luke Shaw‘s positioning, as he appeared to have too much ground to cover when AC Milan switched play to the right, lacking sufficient support. The spaces between United‘s defence and midfield, while not extensive, were not adequately managed. The inexperience of recent signing Andrey Santos was also noted during the game, following an impressive start to his summer performances.
Michael Carrick acknowledged the team’s performance, stating to MUTV, “We are disappointed with today. We didn’t play very well. There are no excuses.” These issues will be a focus for Carrick as he prepares the team for the upcoming Premier League season.
Rashford’s Return and Transfer Speculation
The game also marked the return of Marcus Rashford, who was introduced as one of six substitutes with an hour played. This was his first appearance for Manchester United since an Europa League match against Viktoria Plzen on 12 December 2024. Following that match, Rashford had been loaned out, first to Aston Villa and then to Barcelona, and his return to United was not widely anticipated.
Rashford, wearing the number nine shirt, received a positive reception from United supporters during his warm-up. United officials clarified that the number nine shirt was not a permanent assignment, aiming to prevent any potential issues for fans considering purchasing merchandise. The 28-year-old forward appeared relaxed throughout his return.
During the match, Rashford‘s first run resulted in a foul, but he later executed a notable play near the corner flag, bypassing an opponent and drawing a strong reaction from the crowd. His reintroduction was described as solid rather than spectacular. When he came on, it was observed that he maintained a wider position on the left flank compared to Patrick Dorgu, whom he replaced.
The situation surrounding Rashford‘s future remains uncertain, with the transfer window closing on 1 September. Carrick had opportunities to comment on Rashford‘s long-term stay earlier in the week but did not confirm it. The upcoming Premier League matches against Hull and Ipswich are expected to provide further insight into Carrick‘s plans and the final resolution of Rashford‘s status before the transfer deadline.
Kobbie Mainoo also made his comeback in the match, but neither he nor Rashford could inspire a turnaround for United. The final score in Wroclaw was Manchester United 2-4 AC Milan.
Source: bbc.co.uk