Manchester United suffer 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in pre-season friendly

By Joel Kavanagh — 15 August 2026 — 3 min read

Manchester United concluded their pre-season schedule with a 4-2 loss against AC Milan in Wroclaw, Poland. The match saw Ruben Amorim’s side secure their first victory under his management, coming from behind twice to defeat his former club.

Harry Maguire opened the scoring for United in the second minute, heading in from a Bruno Fernandes’ corner. Shortly after, Amad Diallo had an opportunity to extend United’s lead, suggesting a potentially challenging match for Amorim.

However, AC Milan equalised when Goncalo Ramos set up Samuel Chukwueze. United then missed an opportunity to go into half-time ahead after Fernandes’ penalty was saved by Lorenzo Torriani.

After the interval, Patrick Dorgu restored United’s advantage, capitalising on a loose back-pass from Filippo Terracciano. Yet, AC Milan quickly drew level again through Alphadjo Cisse, who scored at the far post after Chukwueze created space on the right flank against Michael Carrick’s team.

Chukwueze continued to be influential, setting up Ramos to head Milan into the lead for the first time. The same flank was exploited once more when Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored Milan’s fourth goal, concluding a period where United’s defence appeared to unravel.

Squad Returns and Manager’s Outlook

The match also marked the return of several United players. Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo were introduced, easing back into action following their respective absences. Marcus Rashford made his first appearance for the club in 20 months, coming on as a substitute with approximately half an hour remaining.

Despite the defeat, Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick expressed confidence in the team’s readiness for the upcoming Premier League season. He acknowledged the disappointment of the performance but highlighted that some players were getting their first minutes, and the squad had undergone significant training.

Carrick stated that while the team did not play well, he believes they are prepared for the next week’s fixture. He noted that many players would benefit from the match minutes and that the team remains in good spirits heading into the first league game.

He also mentioned that there are decisions to be made regarding the squad, with another week of training ahead. Carrick emphasised the different feeling associated with the first league game of the season, asserting that United will be ready.

Pre-Season Performance and Concerns

While Manchester United’s pre-season included some positive aspects, such as the emergence of Andrey Santos and the promise shown by the new-look midfield with Youri Tielemans settling in, the defeat to AC Milan highlighted areas needing improvement. The performance raised questions about the readiness of some players, particularly with the Premier League season commencing shortly.

The team’s pre-season fixtures included a 0-1 loss to Wrexham in Helsinki on July 18, followed by a 5-0 victory over Rosenborg in Trondheim on July 24. They then secured a 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm on August 1, and played to a 1-1 draw with PSG in Gothenburg on August 8.

Their penultimate pre-season match on August 12 saw them draw 1-1 with Leeds in Dublin, winning 4-5 on penalties. The final pre-season match against AC Milan in Wroclaw on August 15 concluded their preparations for the new season.

The upcoming Premier League season will begin next weekend, with United’s first league game being an away fixture against Hull. The manager’s system is reportedly settled, with work ongoing on team patterns, but questions persist regarding personnel, including the reliance on Luke Shaw and the potential need for another midfielder.

The match against AC Milan saw Senne Lammens make a save to deny Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the 15th minute. Ramos set up Chukwueze for a tap-in in the 37th minute, and Dorgu scored in the 51st minute. Cisse levelled the score in the 57th minute, with Ramos heading in from Chukwueze’s centre in the 68th minute, and Loftus-Cheek netting in the 71st minute.

Source: skysports.com