Manchester United suffered a frustrating 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in their final preseason game, conceding four times in a worrying defensive display just one week before the start of their Premier League campaign.

Michael Carrick’s side took the lead twice at the Tarczyński Arena in Wroclaw, with Harry Maguire scoring inside two minutes before Patrick Dorgu restored their advantage shortly after half-time. However, AC Milan responded through Samuel Chukwueze, A. Cissè, Gonçalo Ramos and Ruben Loftus-Cheek to turn the game around and end United’s preparations on a disappointing note.

The Manchester United v AC Milan encounter was intended to provide Carrick with one final opportunity to assess his squad before the competitive action begins, but the result exposed several defensive problems that will concern the manager.

Manchester United v AC Milan begins with a perfect start

The final preseason game could hardly have started better for Manchester United. Just two minutes into the contest, Harry Maguire rose above the Milan defense to head home from a Bruno Fernandes assist, giving Carrick’s team an immediate advantage.

United began with confidence, and Patrick Dorgu also looked particularly lively down the left. The Danish defender produced an early run and effort that forced Lorenzo Torriani into action, while Bruno Fernandes remained influential in the attacking areas.

Senne Lammens was another impressive performer during the opening stages. The goalkeeper made important saves, including a strong reaction stop to deny Loftus-Cheek, and showed composure despite the pressure Milan applied.

However, United’s early advantage did not translate into sustained control. Milan gradually found more space and began exposing weaknesses in the defensive structure, particularly when switching the ball across the pitch.

Samuel Chukwueze eventually punished those vulnerabilities in the 37th minute, drawing Milan level after Gonçalo Ramos provided the assist.

The score remained 1-1 until half-time, although the final preseason game had already begun to raise familiar questions about United’s ability to protect their defensive areas.

Dorgu scores but Milan seize control

Manchester United made another fast start after the interval, and Dorgu rewarded his energetic performance with a goal in the 51st minute.

The 20-year-old capitalized on a major Milan mistake to put United back in front, ensuring the contest appeared to be moving in the right direction for Carrick’s side.

Yet the lead lasted only six minutes.

A. Cissè equalised for AC Milan in the 57th minute, with Chukwueze turning provider, before the Italian side took complete control of the match. Gonçalo Ramos scored in the 68th minute, assisted by Chukwueze, before Ruben Loftus-Cheek raced clear three minutes later to score Milan’s fourth.

Ramos was heavily involved in the turnaround, contributing two assists in addition to his goal as Milan repeatedly found space close to United’s penalty area.

For Carrick, the biggest concern from the final preseason game will be the ease with which his team conceded goals. United had led twice but still allowed Milan to score four times, a collapse that will inevitably dominate the analysis before their league opener.

Patrick Dorgu and Senne Lammens emerged with considerable credit, both receiving ratings of eight for their performances, but several others struggled to impose themselves as Milan grew stronger.

Defensive concerns overshadow final preseason game

Pre-season results do not count when the real campaign begins, but performances can reveal problems that managers must address quickly. Manchester United’s defending against AC Milan offered several warning signs.

Maguire scored the opening goal but was part of a back line that struggled as Milan increased the intensity. Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui also had difficult moments, while Lisandro Martinez was handed a challenging introduction when he came on after the hour mark.

United made six substitutions in the 60th minute, bringing on Martinez, Diogo Dalot, Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Bryan Mbeumo and Shea Lacey. However, the changes did not prevent Milan from scoring twice more.

Mainoo nearly provided a response with a powerful long-range effort, while Rashford showed flashes of skill after entering the match. Neither moment was enough to alter the direction of the final preseason game.

The defeat also came after Carrick had publicly called for more signings, and the performance may reinforce concerns that Manchester United still require additional quality before the transfer window closes.

A squad can look very different by the end of August, but United cannot afford to rely on future arrivals to solve every problem. The Premier League campaign is now only days away.

Chelsea v Bayer Leverkusen also brings major talking points

Elsewhere, Chelsea v Bayer Leverkusen provided another major talking point as the Blues continued their preparations for the new season amid continuing uncertainty surrounding Enzo Fernandez.

Chelsea beat Real Sociedad 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, with new club-record signing Morgan Rogers scoring on his first appearance and Joao Pedro continuing his exceptional pre-season form with two goals.

Pedro has now scored eight goals in seven pre-season appearances, offering a strong indication that he could be central to Chelsea’s attacking plans.

However, Enzo Fernandez’s situation overshadowed much of the build-up. The midfielder was booed by sections of the Chelsea support after speculation surrounding a possible departure dominated the summer.

Chelsea had reportedly imposed a deadline for interested clubs to meet their £120 million valuation, with Manchester City holding discussions with Fernandez’s representatives but failing to make an offer before the deadline passed.

When Fernandez entered the game in the 62nd minute, his reception remained mixed. Some supporters booed, while others chanted his name, illustrating the divided feeling surrounding one of Chelsea’s most important players.

The midfielder was also handed the captain’s armband when Reece James left the field, providing a clear indication of the backing he continues to receive from within the club.

Final preseason game offers a glimpse of what lies ahead

For Manchester United, the final preseason game against AC Milan was ultimately less about the result than the concerns exposed by the performance.

Carrick will be encouraged by Dorgu’s attacking contribution, Lammens’ confident display and moments of quality from Fernandes and other attacking players. Yet conceding four goals after taking the lead twice cannot simply be dismissed as a pre-season problem.

The Manchester United v AC Milan defeat leaves the club with defensive questions to answer before the Premier League opener, while the upcoming Chelsea v Bayer Leverkusen clash will offer another opportunity to examine how one of their major rivals is shaping up.

Pre-season is over, and the time for experimentation is rapidly disappearing. For Manchester United, the 4-2 defeat to Milan was a painful final reminder that potential and preparation count for little unless the team can find the consistency required when the competitive season finally begins.