Manchester United suffered a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in pre-season as former manager Ruben Amorim outwitted his replacement Michael Carrick.
The friendly fixture out in Poland started well for Carrick’s men on Saturday afternoon, just one week ahead of the start of the new Premier League season, with defender Harry Maguire opening the scoring in just the second minute from a corner. Both sides did, however, go in at half-time level with Samuel Chukweze equalising for the Italian giants, before Bruno Fernandes uncharacteristically missed a penalty.
Patrick Dorgu gave United the lead after the break, capitalising on some slack play at the back from Milan. Yet the Premier League side again threw away their lead. Alphadjo Cisse slammed the ball in from close range to equalise once more, before Goncalo Ramos and Ruben Loftus-Cheek added two more for the Italians. And not even the return of Marcus Rashford – who infamously left United on loan after falling out with Amorim – could make up for an “unacceptable” defensive display.
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Former United striker Fraizer Campbell, on commentary duties on MUTV, said “this is not the standard”. He added: “It’s not lazy but it’s very pre-season.” And as the final whistle blew, he commented: “That won’t be acceptable during the season. It’s not acceptable here, but it’s part of it.” Here are five talking points from the Tarczynski Arena.
1. Set piece prowess persists
No Casemiro, no worries. United bid farewell to one of their most potent set-piece weapons this summer but can still rely on the commanding Maguire.
Bruno Fernandes whipped in an excellent corner with merely two minutes elapsed and it located the head of Maguire, who overpowered his marker to find the net. The Red Devils transformed into set-piece specialists following Carrick’s appointment and appear ready to retain that reputation in the fresh campaign.
It may have only been a friendly but there’s little doubt that this victory will feel particularly satisfying for Amorim. Reports emerged during the week that United’s players and staff had privately expressed their determination to defeat the former Red Devils manager, but instead he emerged triumphant.
And blimey, did the Portuguese desperately require it. Milan’s earlier pre-season results and displays had done precious little to inspire supporters following his appointment earlier this summer, but they secured their maiden victory ahead of next Sunday’s Serie A curtain-raiser away to Torino.
2. Fernandes fluffs penalty – once more
Five minutes after Chukwueze levelled matters, United were handed a golden chance to regain their advantage. Youri Tielemans was felled in the penalty box and the referee indicated the spot.
Forward came Fernandes, but similar to Wednesday’s shootout against Leeds, he failed to convert. The United skipper opted for power but Lorenzo Torriani proved his match, producing an excellent stop down to his left.
Fernandes’ difficulties from 12 yards may well worry the Old Trafford faithful, though he’s typically a reliable option when the stakes are high. His failure meant it remained 1-1 at the interval.
3. Dorgu vindicates Carrick’s choice
Recruited by Amorim and deployed mainly as a wing-back, the matter of where Dorgu would slot into Carrick’s setup was a major talking point back in January. But not anymore.
The United boss’s choice to utilise him as a left winger has borne fruit. The Denmark international had become an indispensable figure before sustaining an injury that essentially ended his campaign early, though he did make it back into the starting lineup on the final day, departing with a notable goal and assist.
Early in the second period here, Dorgu demonstrated his eye for goal once more by pouncing on a wayward back pass from Filippo Terracciano, calmly finding the net with his weaker right foot.
Milan restored parity shortly afterwards, however. Cisse stayed onside to convert Chukwueze’s cross-cum-shot.
4. Rashford returns
After 612 days, Rashford was back donning a Manchester United jersey. The striker entered the fray as part of a series of substitutions on the hour mark, with Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez also making their maiden pre-season appearances.
Rashford was wearing the legendary No. 9 jersey, though United confirmed before kick-off that their squad numbers remain unconfirmed.
Regrettably for the 28-year-old, his arrival coincided with his side’s collapse.
5. Amorim gets last laugh
It may have only been a friendly but there’s little doubt that this victory will feel particularly satisfying for Amorim.
Reports emerged during the week that United’s players and staff had privately expressed their determination to defeat the former Red Devils manager, but instead he emerged triumphant.
And blimey, did the Portuguese desperately require it. Milan’s earlier pre-season results and displays had done precious little to inspire supporters following his appointment earlier this summer, but they secured their maiden victory ahead of next Sunday’s Serie A curtain-raiser away to Torino.