Rashford’s Return Overshadowed by AC Milan Defeat Highlights Carrick’s Challenges

Wroclaw: Just a week away from their Premier League opener at promoted Hull City on Saturday, Michael Carrick's men took the lead twice against AC Milan before finishing on the wrong end of a 4-2 beating. According to Ghana Web, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, and Lisandro Martinez all made their first appearances of the pre-season. Skipper Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans played for the full 90 minutes. Despite the loss, there are no fresh injury concerns for Michael Carrick at the end of a six-match pre-season, which has been largely positive. However, a foot issue for Mason Mount in Gothenburg seven days ago, initially considered a precaution, has now kept the midfielder out for almost three full games. The problem, whether in pre-season or when the campaign proper begins, is that results shape narratives. Losing 4-2 in Wroclaw to a Milan side led by former United boss Ruben Amorim is not a good look. Three of the four Milan goals were close-range efforts. Those with the benefit of replays felt one of them was offside, though no VAR was in operation in Wroclaw. Ruben Loftus-Cheek rounded things off by racing beyond Martinez and not getting caught before driving a shot past Senne Lammens, whose performance prevented a greater defeat. Manchester United seemed to have a particular issue when AC Milan switched play to the right, as Luke Shaw, who also played the full game, had too much space to cover and not enough support. The gaps between defence and midfield were not big, but they were not covered adequately by United. After an eye-catching first five games this summer, this was also a day when recent signing Andrey Santos' inexperience was exposed. Such matters will give Carrick something to think about on the flight back to Manchester as he assesses how best to start the Premier League campaign. "We are disappointed with today," Carrick told MUTV afterwards. "We didn't play very well. There are no excuses."