Ruben Amorim’s verdict on AC Milan and Portugal winger Rafael Leao has emerged after the former Manchester United manager returned to the dugout.
Rafael Leao has been linked with Manchester United and the talented 27-year-old Portuguese winger is currently under contract at the San Siro until 2028.
The AC Milan star has openly expressed his desire to leave the Serie A club in recent weeks and the Italian side could now be forced to sanction a summer sale of Leao.
Leao, who is away at this summer’s World Cup with Portugal, has now been valued at a reported £43m amid United’s transfer interest in the Milan ace.
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Journalist Carlo Pellegatti says that Portugal star Rafael Leao is not part of Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan plans right now
Rafael Leao has featured in both of Portugal’s World Cup matches so far and the AC Milan winger netted against Uzbekistan in his country’s 5-0 steamrolling win.
Manchester United are not alone in their interest in Leao, who has caught the eye of Galatasaray, Chelsea, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Barcelona in recent months.
Carlo Pellegatti has claimed that Ruben Amorim has not included Leao as part of his plans for the 2026-27 campaign amid uncertainty around the Milan star’s future.
“What will Leao’s future be? From what I understand, I don’t think Amorim is counting on him,” he said on his YouTube channel.
“I don’t think for Amorim, he can be a player you can count on.”
Carlo Pellegatti added: “Leao himself has said that he considered his adventure over at Milan. Could this [Portugal] goal [against Uzbekistan] change anything?
“I don’t know, I don’t think so, but undoubtedly Leao’s future, also for financial reasons, is a major question mark for Milan [for the] 2026-27 [season].”
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Former Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim looks to rebuild his managerial resume at AC Milan
Amorim was sacked as Man Utd manager back in January after the 41-year-old Portuguese coach’s relationship with the Ineos regime fractured at Old Trafford.
The former Sporting CP head coach had been a free agent in the second half of the 2025-26 season after his 14-month reign at Premier League side United ended.
Amorim endured an ill-fated reign at United after he succeeded Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hot seat, with the Red Devils in sixth place at the time of his exit.
Milan announced the arrival of Amorim as the Serie A club’s head coach earlier this month after former Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri was sacked.
Amorim has now been afforded the opportunity to rebuild his tarnished reputation after his struggles at the Red Devils following his 2024 appointment at Old Trafford.
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