Man Utd fans criticize ‘total liability’ after performance against AC Milan, while Michael Carrick suggests a solution
Manchester United fans were a bit frustrated with one player’s performance during their recent match against AC Milan. Michael Carrick’s team wrapped up their pre-season with a tough 4-2 loss at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw.
United started strong, with Harry Maguire scoring in just the second minute. But AC Milan quickly fought back, with Samuel Chukwueze leveling the score in the 37th minute. Right after halftime, Patrick Dorgu put Milan ahead, and the Red Devils struggled, letting in three more goals from Alphadjo Cisse, Goncalo Ramos, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
It was a nice moment for former boss Ruben Amorim, who United let go in January. Only a few players stood out positively for Carrick’s side, including new signing Andrey Santos, who’s impressed in pre-season. However, the game showed that the squad, especially at left-back, still has some work to do before the transfer window closes.
Luke Shaw is currently the main left-back after a solid 2025/26 season where he played every Premier League game for the first time in his 12 years at the club. But with his contract ending in June 2027, the club is looking for a long-term replacement.
Lewis Hall is their top choice, but Newcastle isn’t keen to sell after already losing some key players this summer. United are also considering Joaquin Seys, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Antonee Robinson, and others. Fans have been asking the club to invest in this position after watching Shaw struggle against Milan.
Shaw played the full match on Saturday but came under fire from supporters. Some said things like, “Luke Shaw can’t be trusted,” and “We need a left-back now, Luke Shaw is finished.” Others pointed out that the team hasn’t tried signing new wing-backs despite Shaw’s poor showing. One fan even said Milan’s midfield controlled the game and called Shaw a “total liability.”
In Poland, Shaw had a tough game — he didn’t make a single tackle, lost every ground duel, and lost the ball seven times.
Looking ahead to the 2026/27 season and their return to the Champions League, Carrick knows it’s not just left-back where the team needs new faces. He also wants another central midfielder and possibly a striker to strengthen the squad before the September 1 deadline.
Carrick recently said, “We’ve got a good balance in the squad, but we want to keep improving. There are one or two areas where we want to get better. We need additions that make us stronger, whether that’s more quality or depth.”
Man United will start their Premier League season against newly-promoted Hull City on August 22, followed by a home game against Ipswich Town a week later.