Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has reportedly expressed major concerns about the Red Devils following their disappointing 4-2 pre-season defeat to AC Milan in Wrocław, Poland.
What was expected to be United’s final opportunity to fine-tune preparations before the new Premier League campaign instead became a worrying examination of the squad’s weaknesses.
Evra is reportedly unhappy with the way Manchester United struggled to protect their advantages once AC Milan increased the pressure.
The former United captain is believed to have questioned whether Michael Carrick currently has enough quality, depth and intensity within his squad to compete successfully across both domestic and European competitions.
With Manchester United preparing to return to the Champions League, the former defender reportedly believes the performance against Milan should not simply be dismissed as another meaningless pre-season result.
According to the claims, Evra warned that if United continue to display the same weaknesses when facing stronger opposition, they could find themselves in serious trouble against Europe’s biggest clubs.
The Frenchman reportedly questioned how Carrick’s side would cope against teams such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona if the defensive problems and lack of consistency shown against Milan remain unresolved.
He was also said to have been particularly frustrated by the performances of two United players who completed the entire match without producing a single accurate pass.
The alleged reaction has generated plenty of discussion among Manchester United supporters, especially because Evra is someone who understands the expectations and demands associated with playing for the club.
United actually started the contest brightly. Just two minutes into the match, Harry Maguire gave the Red Devils the perfect beginning when he rose to meet a Bruno Fernandes corner and powered his header into the net.
However, the early advantage did not last until half-time. AC Milan gradually grew into the contest, and Samuel Chukwueze eventually punished uncertainty within United’s defensive structure to bring the Italian side level in the 37th minute.
United had an opportunity to regain control before the interval when Bruno Fernandes stepped forward to take a penalty, but the midfielder was unable to convert the chance.
Despite that setback, Manchester United managed to restore their lead shortly after the restart. Patrick Dorgu took advantage of a mistake from Milan and found the net to put United 2-1 ahead.
Unfortunately for Carrick and his players, that advantage quickly disappeared.
Milan launched a devastating comeback during the second half, scoring three goals between the 57th and 71st minutes.
Alphadjo Cissé first restored parity, before Gonçalo Ramos completed the turnaround and put Milan ahead. Ruben Loftus-Cheek then added another goal to make it 4-2 and complete a remarkable comeback.
United’s inability to deal with Milan’s attacking transitions reportedly became the biggest concern. The Red Devils struggled to track runners, defend wide areas and recover their shape quickly enough after losing possession.
The defeat has therefore increased questions surrounding Carrick’s squad ahead of the competitive campaign.
Although Manchester United have already strengthened in certain areas with additions such as Youri Tielemans, concerns remain about the team’s defensive organisation, athleticism and overall depth.
Marcus Rashford’s return to the squad also provides Carrick with another attacking option, but the manager may still want further reinforcements before the transfer window closes.
Evra’s reported criticism has consequently added to the growing pressure on both Carrick and the INEOS hierarchy.
Supporters are increasingly questioning whether the current squad is genuinely equipped to challenge for major trophies, particularly with Champions League football returning to the schedule.
The Milan defeat was United’s final major pre-season test, meaning there is now little time remaining to correct the problems exposed in Poland.
Carrick will need to quickly identify the weaknesses that require attention and determine whether his existing players can solve them or whether additional recruitment is necessary.
For many supporters, surrendering control of the match and conceding four goals in the second half is too serious to ignore.
While pre-season games are primarily about fitness, experimentation and preparation, the nature of United’s collapse has inevitably raised concerns.
As competitive football approaches, all eyes will now turn towards Carrington. Carrick and INEOS must decide whether to trust the current squad or make further investments before the season begins.
Evra’s reported reaction has only intensified the debate, with Manchester United facing growing expectations to prove that the 4-2 defeat to Milan was merely a pre-season warning rather than a preview of problems that could follow them into the new campaign.
