Manchester United concluded their rather positive pre-season summer with a home tie against Italian opposition in the form of Fiorentina. After trips to Sweden and the US, this game saw United return to Old Trafford to play their only non-Premier League opponents this summer, and also the return of a modern club legend in David De Gea.

With a host of pre-match ceremony to commemorate the return to Old Trafford for the new season, a day after the opening of the refurbished training complex, the new arrivals of Leon, Cunha, Mbeumo and new boy Sesko, and of course the return of David De Gea, it’s a day that feels equally about the events around the game than the football itself.

While the biggest test comes next Sunday against Arsenal as the season starts, this performance showed some positive glimpses of what had been seen in the US, but also left a few questions still on the table, with plenty of room for improvement still to come, even if United did pick up another trophy this summer after winning a penalty shootout that, while overall quite meaningless, gets United more familiar to winning once again.

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Teams

Manchester United: Bayindir, Heaven (Shaw 73′), Maguire (De Ligt 73′), Yoro, Dorgu, Fernandes, Casemiro (Mainoo 73′), Amad, Cunha, Mbeumo (Dalot 74′), Mount (Ugarte 84′)

Subs: Mee, Heaton, Leon, Fredricson, Collyer, Obi-Martin, Hojlund

Fiorentina: De Gea (Martinelli 87′), Ranieri (Viti 63′), Pongracic (Mari 79′), Comuzzo (Kouadio 35′), Gosens (Parisi 83′), Gudmundsson (Fazzini 79′), Fagioli (Sabiri 83′), Sohm (Ndour 63′), Dodo (Fortini 83′), Kean, Dzeko (Richardson 63′)

Subs: Lezzerini, Leonardelli, Kospo, Trapani, Bianco, Montenegro, Mandragora, Beltran, Braschi

Manchester United (5)1-1(4) Fiorentina

On Saturday, Manchester United concluded their pre-season preparations at Old Trafford in a 1–1 draw against Fiorentina before clinching the Snapdragon Cup in a 5–4 penalty shoot-out victory. Fiorentina took the lead early, as Simon Sohm capitalised on a poorly defended corner to volley into the net within the opening eight minutes. United responded before the half-hour mark when a Bruno Fernandes corner caused havoc in the box, resulting in a Robin Gosens own goal that restored parity.

In the second half, both sides struggled to force a breakthrough, despite United pressing with energy. The hosts looked the more likely to score, with efforts from Matheus Cunha and Harry Maguire testing the visitors’ defence, but none found the net. A late substitution saw former United goalkeeper David de Gea substituted to a standing ovation as he was given a chance for fans to say a proper goodbye to the keeper who had been a reliable fixture in United’s post-Ferguson period.

After ending 1-1, the subsequent penalty shootout provided the drama United fans craved, penalties were traded evenly until Fiorentina’s Fabiano Parisi saw his effort saved by Bayindir, the only save of the shootout. Kobbie Mainoo then stepped forward coolly to dispatch the winning spot-kick, sealing a 5–4 triumph for United and sending United into the new season with a positive result and piece of summer silverware that will find it’s place in the back of United’s trophy cabinet somewhere.

Talking Points

Manchester United’s final pre-season run-out against Fiorentina wasn’t just about the 1-1 score line and penalty-shoot-out win, it was a showcase for new arrivals. Recent signings Diego Leon, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko were all met with applause and a full reception from the Old Trafford crowd as this game the home fans a first glimpse of their new heroes, while Cunha and Mbeumo featured heavily in the clash as United’s new starting attacking midfielders. The club had also confirmed the high-profile capture of Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig in the hours leading up to the clash, a statement addition to United’s attacking options. The Slovenian striker’s unveiling drew as much buzz among supporters as the action on the pitch, with many already wondering how he’ll fit into an attack that suddenly looks revamped.

The new-look forward line was without one notable player, as Rasmus Højlund’s 90-minute stint on the bench suggests an exit could be imminent. The Danish forward, who has had notable issues with regular scoring and form, was unused despite United’s need for a second-half goal. The decision only intensified speculation about his future, with rumours of a potential departure gathering pace in recent days. Amorim’s choice may have been purely tactical ahead of the new season (although surprising if the case given the expectation of Sesko to start the season), or it may have been the clearest hint yet that the club are encouraging a move away for the forward given the high expenditure already on the front line this summer, and with the new arrival of Sesko to add into the mix.

The afternoon also carried a poignant farewell. David de Gea, back at Old Trafford, was given the chance to sign off properly in front of the home crowd. The Spaniard received a standing ovation from all corners of the stadium, a moment of mutual closure after his abrupt exit in 2023. His appearance ended with a wave to each stand, symbolically closing a chapter on a 12-year United career that yielded a Premier League title, multiple personal accolades, and the admiration of supporters who appreciated his service and resilience. While he didn’t get a chance to feature in the penalty shootout, it’s still nice to give a modern legend a sign-off that had been missing from his departure at the club.