Manchester United’s pre-season campaign ended with a decisive 4-2 defeat by Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan in the Polish city of Wroclaw on Saturday. Michael Carrick’s side took the lead twice during the encounter, courtesy of goals from Harry Maguire and Patrick Dorgu, but defensive lapses ultimately allowed the Italian side to secure the victory.
United opened the scoring in the second minute when Bruno Fernandes delivered a corner that Harry Maguire powerfully headed into the net. Milan responded after a defensive mix-up allowed Goncalo Ramos to break into the area and square the ball for Samuel Chukwueze to equalize. United regained their advantage when Dorgu capitalized on a loose backpass from Filippo Terracciano, but Milan leveled once more when Chukwueze’s wayward shot was turned in at the far post by Alphadjo Cisse.
The match saw United captain Bruno Fernandes miss a penalty for the second successive friendly. Milan goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani dived to his right to stop the shot, just days after the United skipper had fired wide against Leeds in midweek. The penalty had been awarded just before half-time after Koni De Winter tugged back Youri Tielemans.
The decisive turning point arrived in the 68th minute when a cross from Chukwueze was headed home by Ramos. Three minutes later, former Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek sprinted through the defense to score Milan’s fourth goal, sealing the win for their manager, Ruben Amorim, against his former club.
Saturday’s fixture featured the return of Marcus Rashford, who made his first United appearance since concluding a loan spell with La Liga champions Barcelona. Rashford, who had been frozen out by Amorim and previously loaned to Aston Villa, entered the match as a substitute on the hour mark.
Portuguese boss Amorim was sacked as United manager in January after 14 months in charge. Following his departure, former Red Devils and ex-England midfielder Michael Carrick was brought in on a caretaker basis. Carrick has since been appointed to the role full-time, successfully leading the club to a creditable third-place finish in the Premier League.
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