Dimitar Berbatov has reportedly delivered a savage verdict after Manchester United’s clash with AC Milan
Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has reportedly delivered a furious assessment of the team following their dramatic 4-2 pre-season defeat to AC Milan in Wrocław, Poland. What should have been a confidence-building final test before the Premier League season instead exposed serious defensive weaknesses, with United throwing away a 2-1 advantage and allowing Milan to score three unanswered goals.
While Michael Carrick has faced questions over his tactics and selection, Berbatov reportedly directed most of his criticism toward Luke Shaw. The experienced defender started at left-back and completed the entire match, but United struggled to contain Milan whenever the Italian side attacked down that side of the pitch.
Berbatov allegedly questioned Carrick’s decision to select Shaw, claiming the defender repeatedly performed below the required standard and contributed little to United’s overall performance.
“I’m sick of watching him play like a newbie every time he’s on the pitch. He doesn’t add any value to the team. No manager of this team will ever start him in their starting XI. I’m disappointed in Carrick for starting Luke Shaw against AC Milan. He’s not just a bad player, he’s a disgrace to football.”
The comments have inevitably created another major talking point around Shaw, especially after United’s defensive structure repeatedly came under pressure. Milan were able to move the ball quickly into wide areas, exposing gaps and forcing United’s central defenders to move away from their preferred positions.
United initially appeared to be in control after Harry Maguire headed home from a Bruno Fernandes corner inside the opening minutes. Milan responded before the break when Samuel Chukwueze found the equalizer after Gonçalo Ramos helped create an opening on the right. Fernandes then missed an opportunity to restore United’s lead from the penalty spot.
United eventually regained the advantage early in the second half when Patrick Dorgu capitalized on an error to make it 2-1. However, the lead lasted only a short time as Milan completely turned the match around.
Alphadjo Cissé brought Milan level before Ramos headed the visitors into a 3-2 lead. Ruben Loftus-Cheek then completed the comeback by cutting inside from the left before finding the net and securing a 4-2 victory for the Italian side.
The second-half collapse highlighted United’s problems in dealing with attacks from the flanks. Milan repeatedly found room behind the defensive line, while United struggled to recover quickly enough whenever possession was lost.
The result also leaves Carrick with plenty to consider before the start of the Premier League campaign. United have now completed their pre-season schedule, but the defensive problems exposed against Milan will need to be addressed quickly with the league opener approaching.
Several key players, including Lisandro Martínez, Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford, returned to the matchday squad, offering Carrick more options. Nevertheless, the manager must now decide whether Shaw remains his preferred choice at left-back or whether a tactical adjustment is necessary to strengthen the vulnerable side of the defence.
Berbatov’s comments have only intensified the discussion. United supporters have taken to social media to debate Shaw’s performance, Carrick’s selection and the club’s overall defensive readiness. Many fans believe the Milan defeat was a warning sign that cannot simply be dismissed as a pre-season result.
With competitive football now just around the corner, Carrick has little time to make corrections. His next team selection will attract considerable attention, particularly if he decides to retain Shaw in the starting lineup. The pressure will be on United to show that the collapse against Milan was an isolated setback rather than a preview of problems that could follow them into the new Premier League season.
