Amorim faces former club in friendly

By Liam Tremblay — 15 August 2026 — 3 min read

Amorim faces former club in friendly

AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim is set to face his former club, Manchester United, in a pre-season friendly. The match will take place at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland. This friendly marks a reunion for Amorim, who was previously sacked by Manchester United in January.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 15:45 UK time, which is 16:45 CEST. AC Milan‘s pre-season has included performances that have been described as disappointing. Following a tour of Australia and Indonesia, Amorim reportedly decided to remove certain players from his squad and place them on the market.

Players mentioned as missing from the current squad due to injury include Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic, and Matteo Gabbia. Additionally, Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot are still on vacation after the World Cup with France. Goncalo Ramos leads the attack for AC Milan, with support from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Alphadjo Cissè. Luka Modric is initially on the bench in favour of Ardon Jashari and Yunus Musah.

Manchester United will be without Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount, Benjamin Sesko, Matthijs de Ligt, and Tom Heaton. Matheus Cunha is slated to start upfront, with former Serie A players Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, and Patrick Dorgu also in the lineup.

Beckham’s connection to both clubs

The friendly also brings to mind the connection of David Beckham to both clubs. Beckham, who joined Manchester United as a youngster and was part of the “Class of 92,” went on to win the Treble in 1999 with the club. He is fondly remembered by both fan bases.

While primarily associated with Manchester United, Beckham also had two loan spells with AC Milan in 2009 and 2010. During one of these spells, he was seen with a green and gold scarf after a Champions League game at Old Trafford, which was interpreted by some as a gesture of support for the anti-Glazer segment of the Manchester United fan base.

Carrick’s changes since Amorim’s departure

The match provides an opportunity to observe the changes implemented by Michael Carrick since he took over from Ruben Amorim at Manchester United. Carrick is Amorim‘s successor at Old Trafford, and this friendly will see them meet under different circumstances.

Amorim was dismissed five months into last season and subsequently took over at AC Milan this summer. He is reportedly looking to conclude a winless pre-season with a victory against his former employers. Carrick‘s progress in his role has been noted for its stoicism, contrasting with the reported drama surrounding Amorim‘s time at Old Trafford.

One reported change under Carrick has been a shift from a more rigid approach to a more flexible one. Amorim‘s reported unwillingness to adapt his 3-4-3 formation was cited as a factor during his tenure at Old Trafford. This approach reportedly led to issues, particularly when squad numbers were reduced, making it difficult to maintain results.

In contrast, Carrick‘s initial game in charge reportedly showcased a different blueprint, allowing for a more attacking style. This front-foot style has continued into pre-season, with an emphasis on moving the ball forward quickly. Players like Andrey Santos have been noted for their forward passes, and Bryan Mbeumo has reportedly thrived centrally.

The mood at Old Trafford has also reportedly shifted, with increased optimism surrounding the club. Carrick is believed to have fostered a sense of belief within the team, with players like Leny Yoro and Mbeumo expressing their desire to win the league this season. Carrick also reportedly secured a Champions League spot for the club, a goal Amorim had previously indicated his side was not ready for.

Furthermore, Carrick has reportedly offered opportunities for redemption to players who may have been out of favour under the previous management. While Alejandro Garnacho‘s situation under Amorim led to a loan spell, Kobbie Mainoo, despite not starting a league game until January, was nominated for PFA Young Player of the Year under Carrick.

Source: bbc.com