Man United v AC Milan LIVE: Team news and latest updates as Ruben Amorim faces former club in pre-season friendly as Marcus Rashford returns to bench

Of course it’s only a pre-season friendly, but one intriguing narrative this afternoon is Ruben Amorim facing his former side, now as AC Milan boss.

Things fell apart for the Portuguese at Old Trafford after a turbulent 14-month spell that ended with him going on a rant at the club’s hierarchy and being duly sacked less than 24 hours later back in January.

The 41-year-old left with a win percentage of 38 per cent, the lowest of any permanent Manchester United manager since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson and was out of football for a few months before getting the Milan job in June.

He’s trying to implement his patented three-at-the-back system at the San Siro now and you’d imagine he’ll be given an unpleasant reception by the United fans in attendance today.

Marcus Rashford’s future at Man United has been up in the air for a while, ever since he was frozen out by Ruben Amorim (more on him in a minute…) and then had loan spells with Aston Villa and Barcelona.

But he’s back in the mix, Barca appeared to turn down the opportunity to sign the England international permanently, so he’s available for United.

Michael Carrick has hinted that Rashford is set to be part of his plans this season, although the 28-year-old was linked with several Premier League clubs earlier in the transfer window, including Tottenham.

“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,” said Carrick. “He’s been in great spirits since he’s been back, he’s been back two or three days.”

Five Manchester United players keep their place after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Leeds, with Senne Lammens, Ayden Heaven, Andrey Santos, Amad Diallo and Partick Dorgu starting.

In come Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Youri Tielemans, Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha.

That means Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro, Harry Amass, Tyler Fletcher, Joshua Zirkzee and Bryan Mbeumo all drop out.

And Marcus Rashford returns to the bench. He could make his first Manchester United appearance since December 2024 as a substitute.

Substitutes: Heath, Mee, Amass, Dalot, Martinez, Yoro, Collyer, J Fletcher, T Fletcher, Mainoo, Gabriel, Lacey, Mbeumo, Rashford, Zirkzee

Manchester United XI: Lammens: Mazraoui, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Andrey Santos, Tielemans; Amad, Fernandes, Dorgu; Cunha

We should be finding out how the sides will line up today very shortly. Which United players will be returning from their post-World Cup break?

United touched down in Poland yesterday and are getting ready in Wroclaw today

Croke Park, Dublin, was the location of Man United’s penultimate pre-season clash and they earned a satisfying shootout win over rivals Leeds following a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes.

Noussair Mazraoui scored the decisive spot-kick in the 5-4 shootout triumph after James Justin’s effort struck the crossbar, with United skipper Bruno Fernandes having earlier surprisingly missed from the spot before it went to sudden death.

Joshua Zirkzee had fired United in front in the 16th minute, set up by the excellent Bryan Mbeumo before Leeds drew level with their first real chance around the 30-minute mark as Brenden Aaronson applied the finishing touch after fine work from former United winger Daniel James.

The 90 minutes ended in bizarre fashion after two young fans ran on to the pitch to take selfies with Fernandes and when security did not immediately intervene, at least three others joined in and play did not restart before referee Neil Doyle blew for full time.

Meanwhile AC Milan could hand a first start to their own star signing of the window, Portuguese forward Goncalo Ramos, who signed from PSG for a club-record €74m fee plus add-ons last month.

He came off the bench for a cameo against Chelsea last time out.

Possible AC Milan XI: Torriani, Terracciano, De Winter, Pavlovic, Chukwueze, Modric, Comotto, Estupinan, Loftus-Cheek, Ramos, Leao

Mason Mount remains a doubt for United after suffering a foot injury in the friendly with PSG, but Harry Maguire, who was rested for Wednesday’s pre-season clash with Leeds, is set to return.

Lisandro Martinez, Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford are all expected to make appearances for the first time this summer, while summer signing Andrey Santos has impressed thus far and is likely to be given another start.

Possible Man Utd XI: Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw, Tielemans, Santos, Amad, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo