Manchester United face a reunion with former manager Ruben Amorim as they take on AC Milan in their final pre-season friendly before the start of the new Premier League season.
Amorim was sacked at the start of the year after a wretched spell at Old Trafford having arrived with considerable fanfare. The Portuguese coach is settling into Milan after being appointed by the Serie A club, though is already facing familiar issues as he looks to embed his favoured three-at-the-back formation.
Michael Carrick has done strong work since replacing Amorim as Manchester United manager, and will hope his squad can build more confidence and cohesion before the campaign proper begins. Carrick is eager to do more business in the transfer market but his selection here may be instructive with just a week to go until United’s opening game against Hull.
Follow all of the latest from the pre-season friendly in Wroclaw with our live blog below
Today’s AC Milan team
AC Milan XI: Torriani; Terracciano, De Winter, Pavlovic; Chukwueze, Jashari, Musah, Estupinan; Loftus-Cheek, Cisse; Ramos
Former Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, former Brighton left-back Pervis Estupinan and Portugal striker Goncalo Ramos are among the starters for Milan. Luka Modric is also part of the Milan squad, at the age of 40.
Jamie Braidwood15 August 2026 15:19
The Manchester United lessons Ruben Amorim must learn to spark AC Milan revival
After Manchester United, Wilf McGuinness’ next job was Aris, followed by Panachaiki, also in Greece. His only other permanent managerial post was at York City.
After leaving Old Trafford, Frank O’Farrell went to Cardiff and then on an eclectic journey to Iran, Torquay, Al Shaab and Torquay again.
All of which has an added pertinence now, more than half a century after their reigns ended. For Ruben Amorim, the next destination on the footballing map feels altogether more glamorous: AC Milan, making him a successor to Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello, Nereo Rocco and Carlo Ancelotti.
At Old Trafford, however, Amorim was not so much the new Matt Busby or Sir Alex Ferguson as arguably the worst United manager since World War Two, an unwanted tag that may otherwise have rested with McGuinness or O’Farrell. They were tarnished by disappointments as Busby’s successors. Their careers never recovered.
Richard Jolly explains how Amorim can ensure he doesn’t suffer the same fate
The Manchester United lessons Ruben Amorim must learn to spark AC Milan revival
Manchester United’s worst manager in decades appears primed for another big role in Serie ARichard Jolly15 August 2026 15:16
Amorim admits to Man United mistakes
Although his spell at Old Trafford ended in acrimony, Amorim has reflected on his time there in the months since his sacking and now openly acknowledges he made mistakes during his tenure.
During his introductory press conference at AC Milan earlier this summer, Amorim said: “It’s hard to explain the mistakes because for that I would have to explain all the context of the last adventure.
“It’s hard to say to you every mistake. The only thing to say is I learned a lot and I did makes some mistakes.
“I didn’t have the opportunity, and I’m sorry for that, to say something to the Manchester United fans, I’m really proud to be their coach for a year in that time.”
Can he take the learnings into his new job in Milan?
Luke Baker15 August 2026 15:08
The return of Ruben…
Of course it’s only a pre-season friendly, but one intriguing narrative this afternoon is Ruben Amorim facing his former side, now as AC Milan boss.
Things fell apart for the Portuguese at Old Trafford after a turbulent 14-month spell that ended with him going on a rant at the club’s hierarchy and being duly sacked less than 24 hours later back in January.
The 41-year-old left with a win percentage of 38 per cent, the lowest of any permanent Manchester United manager since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson and was out of football for a few months before getting the Milan job in June.
He’s trying to implement his patented three-at-the-back system at the San Siro now and you’d imagine he’ll be given an unpleasant reception by the United fans in attendance today.
Luke Baker15 August 2026 15:00
What’s the deal with Marcus Rashford?
Marcus Rashford’s future at Man United has been up in the air for a while, ever since he was frozen out by Ruben Amorim (more on him in a minute…) and then had loan spells with Aston Villa and Barcelona.
But he’s back in the mix, Barca appeared to turn down the opportunity to sign the England international permanently, so he’s available for United.
Michael Carrick has hinted that Rashford is set to be part of his plans this season, although the 28-year-old was linked with several Premier League clubs earlier in the transfer window, including Tottenham.
“He’s our player. He’s come back great, like any other player. I’ve known him a long time, he gives us something a bit different,” said Carrick. “He’s been in great spirits since he’s been back, he’s been back two or three days.”
Luke Baker15 August 2026 14:50
Michael Carrick makes six changes from Wednesday night
Five Manchester United players keep their place after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds, with Senne Lammens, Ayden Heaven, Andrey Santos, Amad Diallo and Partick Dorgu starting.
In come Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Youri Tielemans, Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha.
That means Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro, Harry Amass, Tyler Fletcher, Joshua Zirkzee and Bryan Mbeumo all drop out.
And Marcus Rashford returns to the bench. He could make his first Manchester United appearance since December 2024 as a substitute.
Jamie Braidwood15 August 2026 14:41
Marcus Rashford on the bench for Man United
Substitutes: Heath, Mee, Amass, Dalot, Martinez, Yoro, Collyer, J Fletcher, T Fletcher, Mainoo, Gabriel, Lacey, Mbeumo, Rashford, Zirkzee
Jamie Braidwood15 August 2026 14:33
Manchester United confirmed line-up
Manchester United XI: Lammens: Mazraoui, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Andrey Santos, Tielemans; Amad, Fernandes, Dorgu; Cunha
Jamie Braidwood15 August 2026 14:31
Team news imminent
We should be finding out how the sides will line up today very shortly. Which United players will be returning from their post-World Cup break?
Luke Baker15 August 2026 14:29
Man United prepare for pre-season finale
United touched down in Poland yesterday and are getting ready in Wroclaw today
Luke Baker15 August 2026 14:25NewerOlder