AC Milan manager Ruben Amorim kept his response measured after his side beat Manchester United, describing the result as little more than a routine preseason fixture. He also joked that the club’s press conferences have lacked energy since he left.

Asked whether the win carried added significance because of the opposition, Amorim declined to frame it that way. He said: “It’s a normal match,” and added, “Since I signed with Milan, I haven’t felt anything about Manchester United .

“I’m just proud to have been at Manchester United and I still love Manchester United, but after signing with Milan, I don’t feel anything negative about anything, because I’m very happy. I’m where I should be. So I just want to continue here. I wanted to win a preseason match to give a good image to our fans.”

After the game, Amorim crossed paths with BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone in the mixed zone. The pair embraced, before Stone referred to missing his old media briefings. Amorim’s reply was blunt and light-hearted: “More boring now!”

His time in England was defined by unusually forceful press conference moments. He once called his United side the worst in the club’s history, said he sometimes “hates” his players and stated he would prefer to pick his goalkeeping coach ahead of Marcus Rashford. Rashford later came off the bench for his first United appearance since being banished by Amorim nearly 20 months ago .

Meanwhile, the more controlled approach now associated with Carrick has drawn praise from United supporters and been linked to the mood around a side that has enjoyed a strong 2026 so far.

That calmer tone remained intact after the defeat, with Carrick setting his sights on improvement before the Premier League opener against Hull City on Aug. 22.

“We’re disappointed with today,” he told MUTV. “We didn’t play well today. There’s reasons for that in some ways [but] we need to learn from it, we need to improve.”

Marcus Rashford’s first Manchester United appearance in 611 days arrived in a pre-season setting that carried plenty of subtext, even without the stakes of competitive football. The forward, back in action after a long and complicated spell away, was given 30 minutes in Saturday’s friendly against an AC Milan side managed by Ruben Amorim, the coach who had previously lost faith in him.

It was a reunion shaped by history. Rashford had last turned out for United in December 2024, when he came off in the second half of a Europa League win over Viktoria Plzeň. What followed was a prolonged absence from the club, with Amorim said to have viewed him as a poor trainer and pushed him down the pecking order. Even after Amorim departed in January, Rashford’s future looked elsewhere as he excelled on loan in Barcelona, where he finished with 14 goals and as many assists while the club won a second straight league title.

A permanent move did not materialise, despite the player’s preference and the disappointment of Barcelona manager Hansi Flick. That brought the door back open at United, where Michael Carrick recalled his former teammate.

Against Milan, Rashford showed signs of application out of possession. Like United’s other attackers, he worked in the press and was involved in one notable moment when he sprinted in to dispossess Mario Gila. His influence in possession was far more limited. Bryan Mbeumo linked up with him a couple of times, but those combinations were untidy, and Rashford also produced a misplaced in-swinging cross that did not find a teammate.

The broader issue remains the same. Rashford still carries the label of a luxury player, and his defensive industry in matches has been questioned. Last season in La Liga, he ranked second bottom among qualifying attacking players for pressures per 90 minutes, with an average of 22.5 against a division average of 42.1. Only Kylian Mbappé registered less activity.

This outing did not erase that conversation, but it did show a player willing to work without the ball as he seeks to reset his standing at United.

Michael Carrick’s latest comments on Marcus Rashford leave little doubt about where the player stands as Manchester United move through pre-season. The United boss said Rashford has been “great” since returning, and that assessment suggests the forward is well placed to play an important part next season.

Rashford trained during the first half of the week before the friendly against Leeds United at Dublin’s Croke Park on Wednesday. After only two sessions, his fitness was not at the level required for selection, so Carrick left him out of the squad. Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martínez were also omitted, with both having returned late because of their World Cup involvement.

The next opportunity for Rashford to feature should come against AC Milan in Poland on Saturday, when United have a somewhat awkward reunion with former manager Ruben Amorim. Carrick, though, made clear he sees value in having Rashford available again. Speaking to ITV after the 1-1 draw with Leeds, he said Rashford has “come back great.”

That stance matters because Rashford had previously been pushed out of contention by Amorim, with his work in training said to be the issue. Carrick offered a direct defence of the player’s attitude and presence in the group.

“He’s our player. He’s come back great, like any other player. I’ve known him a long time, he gives us something a bit different,” Carrick enthused.

“He’s been in great spirits since he’s been back. He’s been back [for] two or three days.”

The comments may also ease some of the scrutiny that returned after tabloid pictures showed Rashford drinking beer and champagne while on holiday before reporting back.

United have not truly replaced him. Last season, his usual left-wing role was shared by Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorgu. Both offered alternatives, but neither is a more natural fit than Rashford. United had been linked with a left winger this summer, but only if he left again. If he stays, it strengthens the squad and may allow attention to shift elsewhere, especially central midfield, left back and striker.