Amorim shows Man United who's boss in friendly win

Manchester United's preseason campaign ended with a decisive 4-2 defeat by Ruben Amorim's AC Milan in the Polish city of Wroclaw on Saturday.

Michael Carrick's side led twice, through Harry Maguire and Patrick Dorgu.

But it was undone in defense, as AC Milan scored three goals from close range before Ruben Loftus-Cheek raced clear to add a fourth and give former United manager Amorim a win against his old club.

This was only United's second defeat in a run of six preseason matches, which included a win over Atletico Madrid and a 1-1 draw with European champion Paris Saint-Germain.

"On the whole, (preseason has) been very good, I think there's a lot of positives to take from it," Carrick told MUTV, United's in-house television station, in a post-match interview.

But the former United and England midfielder added: "We're disappointed with today. We didn't play well, so there's reasons for that. In some ways, we need to learn from it, we need to improve, some of the boys are playing some of their first minutes (for the club)."

Saturday's match saw Marcus Rashford make his first United appearance since returning from a loan spell with La Liga champion Barcelona.

United captain Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty for the second successive friendly, with Milan goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani diving to his right to stop the shot after the Red Devils skipper had fired wide against Leeds in midweek.

Fernandes did at least provide the second-minute corner that was headed powerfully in by Maguire to give United the lead.

But, Milan leveled after a defensive mix-up allowed Goncalo Ramos to break into the area and square for Samuel Chukwueze to roll home.

United was awarded a penalty just before halftime, after Milan center-back Koni De Winter tugged back Youri Tielemans.

United regained the lead after Dorgu seized on a loose backpass from Filippo Terracciano, but Milan equalized again when Chukwueze's wayward shot was turned in by Alphadjo Cisse at the far post.

Rashford, frozen out by Amorim and loaned out to Premier League rival Aston Villa before his temporary spell at Barcelona, came on as a substitute on the hour.

Milan went ahead in the 68th minute when Chukwueze's cross was headed home by Ramos, and three minutes later former Chelsea midfielder Loftus-Cheek sprinted through for Milan's fourth goal.

"A lot of the boys will be better for the minutes," said Carrick. "We've got a good squad, so there's decisions to be made."

Portuguese boss Amorim was sacked as United manager in January after 14 months in charge, with Carrick, now in charge full time after leading the club to a creditable third-place finish in the Premier League as caretaker boss.

United begins its 2026-27 Premier League campaign away to newly promoted Hull on Saturday.

Fernandez booed

Enzo Fernandez was jeered by Chelsea supporters after coming on as a substitute during a 3-1 friendly win over Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Several fans made their feelings known when Fernandez, who has previously made clear his desire to leave Chelsea, came on in the 62nd minute to replace Reece James.

But other supporters gave their backing to the 25-year-old, who told the Blues in May he wanted to leave.

Chelsea placed a reported asking price of 120 million pounds ($162 million) on the Argentina international, but no bids have yet been received during the summer transfer window.

Fernandez scored Argentina's equalizer in its World Cup semifinal win over England in July, before being sent off in the final where Argentina lost to Spain in extra time.

Record signing Morgan Rogers scored on his first Stamford Bridge appearance, tapping in the rebound after Joao Pedro's initial header was saved.

Brazilian Pedro then ensured victory for new manager Xabi Alonso in the team's final match before its Premier League opener away to local rival Fulham, scoring a double to take his preseason total to eight goals, after Jon Aramburu had equalized for the La Liga side.

"It was a very good last preparation game," Alonso told Chelsea's website.

"For some players it was the first one and the last one.

"For us, there were some good things, some things we can improve. It's normal at this moment for some players.

"It was great to have all the team together. Some of them, after three days, could play for 60 minutes. It was the last test.

"Now we have a whole week to prepare for Fulham, but it was a good feeling in the stadium."

AFP