In their 6th and final pre-season game before United’s league opener against Hull City, they faced off against another historic European giant in the form of AC Milan, and the return of Carrick’s predecessor Ruben Amorim. This time last season United were planning for Amorim’s first full season, however this wasn’t to pan out as they moved on in early 2026 and have since appointed Carrick in his place, leaving the Portuguese to return into management trying to overhaul the stalling AC Milan ship.

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Teams

Manchester United: Lammens, Shaw, Heaven (Martinez 61′), Maguire, Mazraoui (Dalot 61′), Santos (Mainoo 61′), Tielemans, Dorgu (Rashford 61′), Fernandes, Amad (Lacey 61′), Cunha (Mbeumo 61′)

Subs: Mee, Heath, Yoro, Amass, Fletcher, Collyer, Fletcher, Gabriel, Zirkzee

AC Milan: Torriani, Pavlovic (Diawara 84′), De Winter (Vladimirov 84′), Terracciano (Gila 60′). Estupinan (Bartesaghi 61′), Jashari (Saelemaekers 60′), Musah (Ricci 76′), Chukwueze, Cisse (Modric 60′), Loftus-Cheek (Comotto 84′), Ramos (Camarda 75′)

Subs: Bouyer, Pittarella

Manchester United 2-4 AC Milan

Manchester United’s pre-season preparations ended on a frustrating note as AC Milan came from behind to claim a 4-2 victory at the Tarczyński Arena in Wrocław on Saturday. United made the brighter start and were ahead inside two minutes when Harry Maguire rose highest to power Bruno Fernandes’ corner beyond Lorenzo Torriani. The early goal gave Michael Carrick’s side plenty of encouragement, with their pressing causing Milan problems in the opening stages, but the Italians gradually settled into the contest. Samuel Chukwueze restored parity in the 37th minute, finishing a move that exposed space in United’s defensive shape. Fernandes then had an opportunity to restore the lead from the penalty spot, but Torriani produced an excellent save to keep Milan level at half-time.

United regained the advantage shortly after the restart, Patrick Dorgu capitalising on a defensive error to make it 2-1 in the 51st minute. For a spell, Carrick’s team looked capable of finishing their summer on a high, but Milan responded emphatically. Alphadjo Cissé equalised six minutes later before Gonçalo Ramos put the Rossoneri ahead in the 68th minute. Ruben Loftus-Cheek then added a fourth just three minutes later, completing a remarkable turnaround and leaving United with little time to mount another comeback. Milan ultimately finished with four different scorers, Chukwueze, Cissé, Ramos and Loftus-Cheek, while United’s two goals came from Maguire and Dorgu.

There were still positives for United to take from a demanding final run-out, particularly in the energetic opening period and Dorgu’s attacking contribution, while the return of Marcus Rashford from the bench also provided an intriguing subplot. Yet the manner of Milan’s four goals will concern Carrick, with United repeatedly vulnerable in wide areas and unable to regain control once their opponents found momentum. The result should be viewed in the context of a pre-season programme rather than treated as a verdict on the campaign ahead, but with the Premier League opener against Hull City approaching, there is little doubt that United have plenty to sharpen up. For Milan, meanwhile, the evening offered a timely confidence boost, and a particularly satisfying one for former United boss Rúben Amorim, whose new side produced their most convincing performance of the summer.