Manchester United fall to AC Milan in pre-season finale
AC Milan defeat Manchester United in pre-season friendly
Manchester United concluded their pre-season schedule with a 4-2 defeat against AC Milan in Wroclaw, Poland. The match saw Ruben Amorim’s Milan side come from behind twice to secure the victory. This result comes just one week before United’s Premier League season is set to begin with an away fixture against Hull City.
Michael Carrick’s side initially took the lead through Harry Maguire’s header in the second minute, following a corner from Bruno Fernandes. However, AC Milan equalised when Samuel Chukwueze scored after an assist from Goncalo Ramos. United then had an opportunity to regain the lead, but Fernandes’ penalty was saved. Patrick Dorgu later restored United’s advantage by capitalising on a misplaced pass from Filippo Terracciano.
Despite taking the lead twice, Manchester United were unable to maintain their advantage. Alphadjo Cisse scored to level the match once more, and Ramos then headed Milan in front for the first time. Ruben Loftus-Cheek sealed the 4-2 victory for AC Milan, with three of their four goals coming from close range. One of Milan’s goals was believed by some to be offside, though VAR was not in operation during the match.
Rashford’s return and team concerns
The match marked the first pre-season appearances for Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, and Lisandro Martinez. Rashford’s introduction as one of six substitutes in the second half was his first appearance for Manchester United since December 12, 2024, when he played against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League. He had subsequently been loaned out to Aston Villa and then Barcelona. United officials clarified that the number nine shirt worn by Rashford during the match was not intended to be permanent.
Carrick expressed disappointment with the team’s performance, stating, “We didn’t play very well. There are no excuses.” He acknowledged that some players were getting their first minutes of pre-season, but maintained that the team is ready for the upcoming Premier League season. Carrick also highlighted that the team has a good squad and will use the remaining week to prepare for the first league game.
Concerns arose regarding United’s defence, particularly when AC Milan switched play to the right side. Luke Shaw, who played the entire game, appeared to have too much space to cover and insufficient support, leading to exposed areas. The gaps between defence and midfield, while not large, were not adequately covered. The inexperience of recent signing Andrey Santos was also noted during the match.
Pre-season overview and upcoming challenges
This defeat concluded a six-match pre-season schedule for Manchester United. The pre-season had largely been positive, with Andrey Santos emerging as a promising asset and the new-look midfield showing potential, despite Youri Tielemans still settling in. However, the loss to AC Milan indicated that some players might not be fully prepared for the start of the competitive season.
Michael Carrick will now assess the team’s readiness for the Premier League opener against Hull City. The upcoming matches against Hull and Ipswich are expected to provide further insight into Carrick’s tactical approach. The transfer window closure on September 1 will also bring clarity to any remaining uncertainties regarding player movements.
The pre-season results for Manchester United included a 0-1 loss to Wrexham in Helsinki, a 5-0 victory over Rosenborg in Trondheim, a 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm, a 1-1 draw with PSG in Gothenburg, and a 1-1 draw against Leeds (which United won 4-5 on penalties) in Dublin, before the 2-4 defeat to AC Milan in Wroclaw.
Source: bbc.com
