Manchester United defender Harry Maguire refused to make excuses after the Red Devils suffered a 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in their final pre-season friendly ahead of the 2026/2027 campaign.
Rather than looking for reasons to explain away the result, Maguire openly admitted that Manchester United were below their best and deserved to lose the match. The England international acknowledged that his side produced one of their weakest performances of pre-season.
Manchester United faced AC Milan in Poland in what was their final warm-up fixture before the new Premier League season gets underway. The match was expected to provide one last serious test for the Red Devils before competitive football returned.
However, things did not go according to plan for Michael Carrick’s side. AC Milan took control of the contest and eventually secured a convincing 4-2 victory.
For Maguire, the result was a clear indication that Manchester United still have areas to improve before their opening league fixture.
Maguire Admits United Were Below Their Best
Speaking to The Athletic after the match, Maguire did not attempt to hide Manchester United’s shortcomings.
The experienced defender described the performance as potentially the team’s worst display during their pre-season preparations.
“Yes, this was probably our worst performance of pre-season,” Maguire admitted.
His assessment was particularly notable because Manchester United had previously shown several encouraging signs during their warm-up matches. However, against AC Milan, they struggled to reproduce the same intensity and organization.
The Red Devils were unable to impose themselves on the game for long periods, while AC Milan looked more aggressive and determined.
AC Milan Deserved the Victory
Maguire believes the Italian side earned their victory because they were simply better than Manchester United on the night.
The defender pointed out that United’s slow tempo made it difficult for the team to establish control, while AC Milan played with greater intensity and aggression.
“We played at a slow tempo, and we have to give credit to AC Milan. They were more aggressive than us and they deserved to win,” Maguire explained.
The United defender also highlighted the conditions during the match. The weather was relatively hot, which made the physical demands of the game more challenging for both teams.
“It was quite hot during the game, so that made things a little difficult, although the match itself was not particularly intense. As a team, we were also too passive,” he added.
That lack of aggression proved costly for Manchester United. Against a side of AC Milan’s quality, failing to maintain intensity can quickly result in the opposition gaining control of the game.
Defeat Can Provide a Valuable Lesson
Despite his disappointment with the result, Maguire believes the defeat can still provide useful lessons for Manchester United ahead of the new Premier League season.
With only a short period remaining before the opening league fixture, the Red Devils must quickly identify the weaknesses exposed against AC Milan and make the necessary improvements.
Maguire also pointed to one major positive from Manchester United’s pre-season preparations: the overall condition of the squad.
“There’s less than a week until the Premier League starts, and our whole squad is available without injuries. For us, that’s the most important thing right now,” he said.
Having a fully available squad gives Carrick more options as he prepares for the opening match of the season. The pre-season campaign has also allowed several players to build up their match fitness after the summer break.
“We’re also starting to build up minutes for our players, and we’re in good shape to compete in the Premier League,” Maguire added.
Manchester United Must Improve Quickly
The 4-2 defeat to AC Milan may not have a major impact on Manchester United’s season by itself, but the performance has highlighted several areas that need attention.
The Red Devils will need to play with significantly greater intensity once the Premier League begins. A slow tempo and passive approach could be punished much more severely in competitive matches.
For Carrick, the remaining days before the opening fixture will be crucial. The coaching staff will have to work on defensive organization, pressing intensity and attacking efficiency while ensuring the players are physically prepared for the demands of the new campaign.
Maguire’s comments also suggest that the Manchester United squad understands the need to improve. Rather than treating the defeat as an isolated setback, the players can use the match as a final warning before the points begin to matter.
Hull City Await in the Premier League Opener
Manchester United will begin their Premier League 2026/2027 campaign away from home.
The Red Devils are scheduled to travel to MKM Stadium to face newly promoted Hull City on Saturday, August 22.
The fixture will provide Manchester United with an immediate opportunity to respond to their disappointing result against AC Milan.
A strong start will be particularly important for Carrick and his players as they look to build momentum during the opening weeks of the season. After a pre-season campaign featuring both positive moments and areas of concern, Manchester United will now have to turn their preparation into competitive results.
The defeat to AC Milan has given Maguire and his teammates plenty to think about, but the defender remains confident that the squad is in good physical condition heading into the new campaign.
With the Premier League opener against Hull City just days away, Manchester United must quickly put their poor performance against AC Milan behind them and show a much more aggressive, disciplined and confident version of themselves when the real competition begins.
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