Former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim came back to haunt his old club as AC Milan claimed a thrilling 4-2 pre-season victory over the Red Devils, handing the Portuguese coach his first win since taking charge of the Italian giants.
In a dramatic six-goal friendly, United twice found the net through Harry Maguire, but Milan responded emphatically. Samuel Chukwueze, Pape Dorgu, Gonçalo Ramos and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were all on the scoresheet as Amorim secured a memorable victory against his former employers.
The match also featured another major Manchester United storyline, with Marcus Rashford returning to action for the Reds for the first time since December 2024.
For United, it was only their second defeat of pre-season, but conceding four goals provided plenty for the coaching staff to analyse before competitive football begins.
For Amorim, however, this was a significant moment. Three pre-season games into his tenure as Milan head coach, he finally had his first victory — and it came against Manchester United.
Manchester United 2-4 AC Milan: Amorim Haunts His Former Club
There was already considerable intrigue surrounding the friendly because of Amorim’s reunion with Manchester United.
By full-time, the former United boss had even more reason to remember the occasion.
Milan walked away 4-2 winners, delivering Amorim’s first victory as their head coach and ending United’s encouraging run with only their second loss of pre-season.
The scoreline suggests a comfortable Milan win, but the match itself contained plenty of drama.
United even struck first.
Harry Maguire Gives Manchester United Dream Start
Manchester United could hardly have asked for a better opening.
Harry Maguire scored after just two minutes, immediately putting Amorim’s Milan under pressure.
An early goal can dictate the direction of a pre-season friendly, and United had an opportunity to build on their advantage.
Instead, Milan responded.
The Italian side gradually found their rhythm and began turning the contest in their favour.
Samuel Chukwueze Punishes United
AC Milan’s response arrived through Samuel Chukwueze in the 37th minute.
The winger’s goal brought Milan level at 1-1 and changed the momentum of the contest before halftime.
For Amorim, it was the response he would have wanted after seeing his new team concede almost immediately.
Rather than allowing United’s early goal to dictate the match, Milan stayed composed and eventually found their way back.
The second half would prove even more eventful.
Pape Dorgu Strikes as Milan Take Control
Milan moved ahead in the 57th minute through Pape Dorgu.
The goal completed the turnaround and left United chasing the game.
Having conceded after only two minutes, Milan had now scored twice without reply.
It was also an important demonstration of resilience from Amorim’s team. Pre-season results may not carry competitive points, but managers still want to see how their players react to difficult situations.
Against United, Milan responded to adversity by taking control.
Gonçalo Ramos Makes It 3-1 to AC Milan
Manchester United’s problems deepened in the 68th minute when Gonçalo Ramos found the net.
His goal made it 3-1 to Milan and placed Amorim’s side firmly in control.
At that stage, the former United manager was closing in on his first win as Milan boss.
United suddenly needed a significant comeback, while Milan were able to play with the confidence provided by a two-goal advantage.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek Adds Milan’s Fourth
Milan were not finished.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored in the 71st minute, just three minutes after Ramos had found the net.
In the space of a few second-half minutes, the game had swung decisively in Milan’s favour.
The scoreboard now read:
Manchester United 1-4 AC Milan.
For United, conceding twice in such quick succession will be one of the major areas requiring analysis.
For Amorim, it demonstrated the attacking ruthlessness he will hope to establish at Milan.
Harry Maguire Scores Again for Manchester United
United did manage to reduce the deficit.
Maguire found the net again in the 51st minute, completing an unusual two-goal contribution from the defender across the contest.
His attacking involvement represented one of the positives United could take from an otherwise difficult afternoon.
But Milan’s four goals ultimately proved decisive.
There would be no dramatic United comeback.
Full-time: Manchester United 2-4 AC Milan.
Manchester United vs AC Milan: Key Match Moments
- 2′ – Manchester United score: Harry Maguire gives United a flying start.
- 37′ – Milan equalise: Samuel Chukwueze makes it 1-1.
- 51′ – Maguire strikes again: The United defender gets his second goal of the match.
- 57′ – Milan respond: Pape Dorgu finds the net for Amorim’s side.
- 68′ – Gonçalo Ramos scores: Milan add another as United struggle defensively.
- 71′ – Loftus-Cheek strikes: Milan score their fourth to take control of the friendly.
- Marcus Rashford returns: The forward makes his first appearance for Manchester United since December 2024.
- Full-time – Manchester United 2-4 AC Milan: Amorim records his first victory as Milan head coach against his former club.
Ruben Amorim Gets First AC Milan Win Against Manchester United
The identity of the opponent made this more than an ordinary pre-season victory for Amorim.
After three games in charge, the Portuguese coach finally secured his first win as AC Milan manager, and he did so by scoring four against his former team.
Amorim knows United well.
That familiarity inevitably added another layer to the contest, although a pre-season friendly cannot replicate the tactical intensity or pressure of a competitive fixture.
Nevertheless, defeating your former club 4-2 is an eye-catching way to record your first victory with a new team.
For Milan, the performance should provide confidence that Amorim’s ideas are beginning to translate onto the pitch.
Milan’s Second-Half Attack Sends Warning
The biggest positive for Amorim was arguably Milan’s ability to punish United once opportunities appeared.
Chukwueze began the response in the first half before Dorgu, Ramos and Loftus-Cheek added to United’s problems.
Having four different goalscorers also offers encouragement.
Teams challenging across several competitions need goals from multiple areas rather than depending exclusively on one striker.
Milan demonstrated that variety against United.
Amorim will now hope that attacking production carries into competitive football.
Marcus Rashford Returns for Manchester United
Beyond the result, Marcus Rashford’s return was one of the most notable developments for Manchester United.
Rashford featured for the Reds for the first time since December 2024, ending a lengthy absence from the Manchester United side.
Whatever happens next, getting competitive-style minutes back into his legs represents an important step.
His return also gives United another attacking option ahead of the new season.
Attention will now turn toward how significant a role Rashford can play and whether he can force himself firmly back into the team’s plans.
What the 4-2 Defeat Means for Manchester United
There is little reason to panic over one pre-season defeat.
Friendlies exist to build fitness, test tactical ideas and identify weaknesses before competitive matches begin.
But conceding four goals cannot simply be ignored.
United’s defensive organisation will be one of the biggest areas to examine, particularly the damaging spell in which Milan repeatedly found a way through.
Pre-season mistakes are useful if they provide lessons that prevent the same problems occurring once Premier League points are available.
United must therefore treat the defeat as a warning rather than a disaster.
Only Manchester United’s Second Pre-Season Defeat
Context is important.
The 4-2 loss was only Manchester United’s second defeat of pre-season, meaning their preparations have not suddenly been derailed by one result.
There were also positives.
Maguire provided goals, Rashford returned to the pitch and the coaching staff received another valuable opportunity to assess the squad.
However, the manner in which Milan scored four times should ensure there is no complacency heading into the season.
United’s attacking talent can win matches, but defensive vulnerability can quickly undo that work.
Amorim Gets the Last Laugh Against His Former Team
Ultimately, the biggest storyline belonged to Ruben Amorim.
Facing Manchester United for the first time as AC Milan head coach provided an intriguing subplot.
Winning 4-2 made it considerably more memorable.
United started quickly through Maguire, but Amorim watched his Milan side respond with four goals and an impressive attacking performance.
Chukwueze delivered the first response before Dorgu, Ramos and Loftus-Cheek ensured Milan walked away with the victory.
For Amorim, it was the breakthrough he had been waiting for after three pre-season matches.
And it came against the club he once managed.
Manchester United 2-4 AC Milan: Final Verdict
Pre-season results are quickly forgotten once competitive football begins, but some matches provide storylines that stand out.
This was one of them.
Ruben Amorim’s first win as AC Milan head coach came in a 4-2 victory over his former club Manchester United.
Milan showed resilience after falling behind early, attacking quality through four different scorers and enough ruthlessness to punish United’s defensive weaknesses.
For Manchester United, Rashford’s return provides encouragement, while Maguire’s goals offered another positive.
The defensive performance, however, gives United plenty to work on.
For Milan and Amorim, the message is considerably simpler:
The first victory has arrived — and the former United boss achieved it by putting four past his old team.
Final score: Manchester United 2-4 AC Milan.
