Amorim's Milan Runs Riot Against Shaky Man Utd Defense; Vladimirov Gets Minutes Against 20-Time English Champions

AC Milan secured their first pre-season victory, coming from behind to claim a convincing 4-2 win against Manchester United at the Tarczyński Arena in Wrocław. This triumph was particularly satisfying for Rossoneri coach Ruben Amorim, who had been dismissed by the English club earlier in the year. United's performance, especially in defense, will be a cause for concern for fans, with the new Premier League season just a week away. The Red Devils started both halves strongly, with Harry Maguire (2’) and Patrick Dorgu (51’) finding the net. Bruno Fernandes also missed a penalty late in the first half. However, Milan dominated the rest of the match, with their attacking players – Samuel Chukwueze, Alfajour Cissé, Gonçalo Ramos, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek – scoring all of the Rossoneri's goals. It was also significant that Valeri Vladimirov once again received an opportunity from Amorim, getting minutes against such a formidable opponent.

For the first time in pre-season, Michael Carrick's squad featured captain Bruno Fernandes and one of the new signings, Youri Tielemans, in the starting lineup. The Belgian was partnered in midfield by another new arrival, Andrey Santos. Marcus Rashford, whose last appearance for United was in December 2024, was among the substitutes, as were Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martínez. Matheus Cunha led the attack.

Ruben Amorim opted for record signing Gonçalo Ramos to spearhead the attack, supported by Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Alfajour Cissé. Pervis Estupiñán and Samuel Chukwueze operated as wing-backs in Amorim's preferred system. Luka Modrić started on the bench, as did Bulgarian talent Valeri Vladimirov once again. Matteo Gabbia, Rafael Leão, and Christian Pulisic were unavailable due to injuries. Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot have yet to begin training with the squad, having been granted extended breaks after their participation in the 2026 World Cup.

United started with a bang, and after just 28 seconds, Dorgu broke through on the left and shot, but Toriani parried it away. The English side took the lead from the resulting corner. Fernandes delivered a soft cross, and Maguire rose highest to head it in.

In the sixth minute, Amad had a good chance, but Pavlovic managed to deflect it for a corner. After that, Milan completely took control. Loftus-Cheek capitalized on a misplaced pass from Fernandes, advanced, and shot from inside the box, but Lamens saved. In the 15th minute, the Red Devils' goalkeeper made an even better save, denying a more dangerous Loftus-Cheek effort with his foot.

The inevitable happened in the 37th minute when Milan equalized. Yashari won the ball after a throw-in from the English team, bypassed Fernandes, Santos, and Maguire, then delivered a superb pass into the box for Ramos. The striker could have shot but instead spotted Chukwueze in a clear position and laid it off to him, who slotted the ball into an empty net.

Towards the end of the half, United had a chance to regain their lead after being awarded a somewhat soft penalty for a foul by De Winter on Tielemans. However, Bruno Fernandes's spot-kick was poor, and Toriani saved it.

The Red Devils went ahead again in the 51st minute following a comical error from Terracciano, who attempted a clumsy back-pass to Toriani but instead gifted the ball to Dorgu, who tapped it into the net for a 2-1 lead.

However, Milan responded quickly, and in the 57th minute, Cissé leveled the score. Chukwueze received a good pass on the right, advanced into the penalty area, and sent the ball towards the far post, where Cissé arrived to tap it in from close range for 2-2.

After approximately an hour of play, both coaches made numerous substitutions – four for Amorim and six for Carrick. Modrić and Rashford were among those introduced.

Milan completed their comeback in the 68th minute when Chukwueze again crossed from the left, and this time Gonçalo Ramos headed it in. Three minutes later, Lamens picked the ball out of his net for the fourth time. Milan once again broke through on the right, as Loftus-Cheek, after a one-two with Ramos, got in behind Lisandro Martínez, advanced at pace, and fired a shot past the near post, scoring the Rossoneri's fourth goal.

In the 82nd minute, Marcus Rashford, wearing the number 9 shirt, had a golden opportunity to get Manchester United back into the game after receiving a deep pass from Martínez, but he failed to get a shot away, and the Milan goalkeeper averted the danger.

Two minutes later, Valeri Vladimirov came on for the Rossoneri, once again getting minutes from Amorim in the pre-season friendlies. The Bulgarian replaced Koni De Winter and took up a position in the center of the defensive trio.