Maguire and Dorgu goals not enough as Milan punish United

Manchester United closed their pre-season schedule with a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Wroclaw, twice taking the lead before Milan responded on both occasions and scored twice late on.

Harry Maguire headed United in front inside two minutes from a Bruno Fernandes corner, before Samuel Chukwueze levelled for Milan in the 37th minute after Goncalo Ramos set him up. Fernandes then had a firmly struck penalty saved before half-time.

Patrick Dorgu restored United’s lead in the 51st minute after seizing on a poor Milan pass, but Alphadjo Cisse equalised six minutes later. Chukwueze then set up Ramos to head Milan in front in the 68th minute before Ruben Loftus-Cheek added a fourth three minutes later.

How the defeat unfolded

It was Ruben Amorim’s first game against his former club since taking charge of Milan, and his side won in Poland. For Michael Carrick, it was a difficult way to complete preparations for the Premier League opener against Hull City the following week.

The result followed a pre-season schedule that included matches against Atletico Madrid and Leeds United, with United beating Leeds on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Dublin.

Carrick said United had not played well, while acknowledging that some players were making their first appearances and that the team had work to do. He added that the squad remained in good spirits and would use another week of training to prepare for Hull.

Rashford’s return and the questions ahead

The afternoon also brought Marcus Rashford’s first appearance for United in 20 months, with the forward coming on after the hour. Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo also returned, with Mainoo making his first pre-season appearance.

With Milan repeatedly finding space down the right and Fernandes having missed a penalty, the defeat raised questions ahead of the start of competitive football.