Ruben Amorim showed class as by silencing Manchester United in Poland after his side, AC Milan came from behind twice to claim a 4-2 preseason victory.
It was a remarkable game which saw the Premier League side getting beaten by their former manager who was sacked due to poor run of form last season.
The game produced six goals, a missed penalty and several important moments as both teams prepared for the new season.
Manchester United needed only two minutes to take the lead. Bruno Fernandes delivered a dangerous corner into the box, and Harry Maguire rose above the Milan defence to power a header into the net.
It was an excellent start for Michael Carrick’s team. United almost doubled their lead shortly after when Amad Diallo won the ball high up the pitch and came close to creating another opening.
The red devils goalkeeper Senne Lammens also had to make an important save from Ruben Loftus-Cheek as the Italian started to find their rhythm.
Milan gradually took control of possession and found their equaliser in the 37th minute. Goncalo Ramos created the opening before Samuel Chukwueze finished from close range.
The goal came after a difficult moment for United’s defence, with Harry Maguire and Andrey Santos unable to deal with the situation. Milan had grown into the match and ended the first half strongly.
One of the biggest moments before half-time came when Manchester United were awarded a penalty. Bruno Fernandes stepped up to take responsibility, but his effort was saved by Milan goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani.
It was another frustrating penalty miss for Fernandes during pre-season and meant United went into the break level at 1-1 as they wouldn’t do anything much after the miss.
The Old Trafford club started the second half positively and regained the lead in the 51st minute. Patrick Dorgu took advantage of a poor Milan pass and calmly finished the chance.
At 2-1, they looked capable of securing a positive result. However, Milan quickly changed the direction of the game which came as a surprise to their English opposition.
Alphadjo Cisse equalised in the 57th minute after Chukwueze created danger down the right. Milan then moved ahead for the first time in the 68th minute, with Ramos heading home from another Chukwueze delivery.
Just three minutes later, Ruben Loftus-Cheek added Milan’s fourth after another attack down the right. The quick three-goal spell turned a 2-1 United lead into a 4-2 lead for Milan as they pushed forward.
Another major talking point was Marcus Rashford’s return to action. He came on in the second half, making his first appearance for the club in 20 months after his spell away.
AC Milan finished pre-season with a 4-2 win, while Manchester United will need to address the defensive problems exposed in the second half which led to their defeat.
Milan’s four goals also came from four different scorers, while Torriani’s penalty save proved important in the match which was all good for Ruben Amorim.
The victory is one Ruben Amorim will enjoy for a long time to come. The Portuguese coach proved his former club wrong by going all the way to snatch a good victory against them.
Meanwhile, Michael Carrick will feel the pressure from this result which he would look to make some tactical changes to how his side approaches games going forward.
