Carrick’s United exposed in Wroclaw as Rashford returns in defeat to Amorim’s Milan

Manchester United concluded their pre-season campaign with a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Wroclaw, Poland, a result that has intensified scrutiny over the club’s defensive stability ahead of the Premier League season. Manager Michael Carrick’s side took the lead twice but conceded four goals, with three of the setbacks arising from close-range efforts. The match served as a stark reminder of the tactical vulnerabilities Carrick must address before the league campaign begins against promoted Hull City this Saturday.

The defeat was particularly acute given that the opposition was managed by Ruben Amorim, the former United manager who previously loaned out Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa and Barcelona after effectively banishing him from the squad. Amorim’s Milan side capitalised on United’s structural gaps, particularly when switching play to the right flank. Luke Shaw, who played the full 90 minutes, struggled to cover the necessary space, exposing the lack of adequate support in the wide areas.

Marcus Rashford made his first appearance for the club since December 2024, coming on as a substitute after an hour of play. The 28-year-old wore the number nine shirt, although United officials clarified this was not a permanent assignment, aiming to manage expectations before the transfer window closes on 1 September. Rashford stayed wide on the left flank, replacing Patrick Dorgu, and received applause from supporters, though his reintroduction was described as solid rather than spectacular.

Defensive inexperience was further highlighted by the performance of recent signing Andrey Santos, who was exposed during the match. The situation was compounded when Ruben Loftus-Cheek raced past Lisandro Martinez to score AC Milan’s fourth goal, a moment that underscored the defensive disarray. Carrick admitted post-match that the team did not play well and offered no excuses for the performance, which came despite a largely positive six-match pre-season tour.

The result leaves Carrick with significant questions regarding squad depth and personnel. While the pre-season tour was largely positive aside from a foot issue sustained by Mason Mount in Gothenburg that has sidelined the midfielder for nearly three games, the loss to Milan provides little comfort. With the transfer deadline approaching, the long-term future of players like Rashford remains uncertain, and Carrick must now assess how best to stabilise the defence before the Premier League opener.