Marcus Rashford will face former manager Ruben Amorim when Manchester United play AC Milan in their final pre-season friendly in Poland this weekend.
The match marks the first meeting between Rashford and Amorim since the Portuguese manager left Old Trafford. Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is also set to feature for United against his former manager ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Tensions at Craven Cottage
Tensions between Amorim and Rashford escalated inside the press room at Craven Cottage in late January 2025 following a 1-0 win over Fulham. Rashford had not been included in a Premier League matchday squad for approaching two months after being dropped before the Manchester derby.
Management-level friction over Rashford had been brewing for some time, with some pointing fingers at others for driving his exit while others blamed Amorim's man-management. That night, Amorim publicly criticized United's highest-profile academy product since Sir Alex Ferguson departed.
"It's always the same reason: the training, the way I see a footballer should do in life," Amorim said. "It's every day, every detail. If things don't change, I will not change."
Amorim added that he would select United goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital ahead of the forward. "You can see on the bench we miss a bit of pace on the bench. But I would put Vital before a player who doesn't give the maximum every day," Amorim said.
The manager was stating he preferred to select a 63-year-old coach who suffers from a noticeable limp over a £325,000-a-week international footballer. Sources speaking to Daily Mail Sport later questioned whether his handling of the situation called into question his ability to manage elite players.
Frustrations Over Kobbie Mainoo
Mainoo also experienced difficult moments under Amorim. In December 2025, following a 1-1 draw at home against West Ham, Amorim addressed questions regarding the midfielder, who had yet to start a Premier League match at that point last season.
During a spiky press conference centered around his lack of trust in the England international, Amorim defended his decision to leave Mainoo on the bench. Rashford was on loan at Barcelona by this point and could empathize with his teammate.
"I understand what you are saying," Amorim said. "You love Kobbie, he starts for England. But that doesn't mean that I need to put Kobbie in when I feel that I shouldn't put Kobbie in, so it's my decision."
Loan Spells and European Success
Days after the Fulham match, Rashford joined Aston Villa on loan. Amorim subsequently put Rashford into a "bomb squad" last summer before the forward secured a secondary loan move to Barcelona.
While at Barcelona, Rashford won LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup. Meanwhile, Amorim unravelled at Old Trafford and was dismissed at the start of the year following an explosive press conference at Leeds.
Rashford returned to the squad in Ireland over the past week, though his return had not always seemed likely after his No 10 shirt was given away to Matheus Cunha. United recently defeated Leeds United in a penalty shootout in Dublin.
Reintegration Under Michael Carrick
Rashford's return has been well received by the squad, with teammates finding him far removed from the arrogant and lazy figure previously painted. New signing Youri Tielemans, who played with Rashford at Aston Villa, praised his work ethic.
"He was great," Tielemans said. "There had been so much talk about him and bringing pressure and the media around him, but I thought he was just so good, you know. He was very humble, he was just hard working, and from the first training you could tell his touch, his acceleration was just amazing."
United manager Michael Carrick also reflected on Rashford's mindset ahead of the new season. "In some ways, it feels a fresh start, you know, with new players coming into the building, new challenges, new things to try and win, it's quite exciting," Carrick said.
Despite his return, Rashford's long-term future remains unresolved before the transfer deadline. Carrick was noncommittal on whether the 28-year-old would stay, while club figures seeking to trim the wage bill remain open to a deal as several Premier League rivals watch from afar.
Pre-Season Struggles for AC Milan
Amorim enters the match in Poland having failed to win a single pre-season game with AC Milan, including a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea that Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport reported "sounded the alarm."
Amorim has also informed seven AC Milan players that they are surplus to requirements. The decision comes after placing Rashford in a bomb squad at United last summer.
Although sources close to Rashford and Mainoo express a desire to draw a line under the past conflicts, backroom staff at United spoke freely in Dublin about a strong determination within the squad to defeat Amorim's side. With Carrick offering support to both players, Rashford and Mainoo are prepared to line up against their former manager.
