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

Manchester United’s pre-season campaign concluded with a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Wroclaw, a result that has drawn scrutiny ahead of their Premier League opener against promoted Hull City on Saturday. Managed by Michael Carrick, United took the lead twice but conceded four goals, including three close-range efforts, raising questions about defensive organisation and tactical readiness for the upcoming season.

The match marked the first pre-season appearances for Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, and Lisandro Martinez, offering some positive indicators for Carrick’s squad depth. Captain Bruno Fernandes and new signing Youri Tielemans completed the full 90 minutes, while Luke Shaw also played the entire duration despite struggling to cover space on the right wing. These returns provide Carrick with a largely fit squad as he prepares for the domestic campaign.

However, the performance exposed vulnerabilities, particularly in defensive transitions. AC Milan, managed by former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, exploited gaps between United’s defence and midfield, particularly when switching play to the right. New signing Andrey Santos saw his inexperience highlighted during the contest, while Mason Mount remains sidelined with a foot issue sustained in Gothenburg that has kept him out for nearly three games.

The final goal came from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who raced past Martinez before driving a shot past goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who prevented further damage to the scoreline. Replays suggested one of Milan’s goals may have been offside, but with no VAR operation in Wroclaw, the decision stood. The result serves as a stark contrast to United’s earlier pre-season form, where they had taken the lead twice in previous fixtures against Milan.

Carrick expressed disappointment with the team’s performance, stating, "We didn't play very well. There are no excuses." The defeat leaves Carrick with tactical matters to address before the Premier League begins, as pre-season results often shape narratives rather than predict outcomes. The focus now shifts to rectifying defensive lapses and integrating new signings for the crucial opening fixture against Hull City.