This pre-season finale turned sour for Manchester United as they suffered a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Wroclaw. Just a week ahead of their Premier League opener against promoted Hull City, Michael Carrick's side led twice but ultimately fell short against a Milan team managed by former United boss Ruben Amorim.

Highlights of the Match:

• Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, and Lisandro Martinez made their first pre-season appearances.
• Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans played the full 90 minutes.

Despite the positives, the result raised concerns. Three of Milan's goals came from close-range efforts, and there were questions about an offside in one of the plays, as VAR was not in operation.

Key Issues for Manchester United:

• Defensive Gaps: United struggled with Milan's switch to the right, leaving Luke Shaw exposed.
• Midfield Coverage: The connection between defense and midfield lacked adequate support, exposing inexperience, particularly from Andrey Santos.

Carrick expressed disappointment post-match, stating, "We are disappointed with today. We didn't play very well. There are no excuses."

Rashford's Return:
Rashford's introduction marked his first appearance since December 2024 and was met with a warm reception from fans. He played wider than his predecessor, Patrick Dorgu, and showcased glimpses of his skill, culminating in some crowd-pleasing moments.

As the Premier League campaign approaches, Carrick has much to ponder regarding his squad, especially with the transfer deadline looming on September 1st. The upcoming matches against Hull and Ipswich will provide further insight into his strategies.