United's Bryan Mbeumo alleviates some pressure off Bruno Fernandes, yet Matheus Cunha appears flat in their match against Fiorentina
Manchester United faced Fiorentina in a pre-season friendly at Old Trafford, with the match ending in a 5-4 victory for the Red Devils in a dramatic penalty shootout.
The game began with a goal from Simon Salomon Junor Sohm, who scored from a corner inside eight minutes. United responded with an own goal by Fiorentina's Robin Gosens, equalising the score before half-time.
The match was a showcase for some impressive performances. Bruno Fernandes was everywhere, dishing out incredible passes and scoring a penalty. Amad Diallo also shone, scoring a panenka in the shootout to make it 4-4.
The game was decided by a crucial save from United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from Fiorentina’s fifth penalty, and Kobbie Mainoo scored the winning spot-kick, securing the Snapdragon Cup for United.
The friendly marked the presentation of Manchester United’s four summer signings—Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko—to supporters on the pitch. It was a promising display of squad reinforcement ahead of the Premier League season.
A special moment occurred with the return of former United goalkeeper David De Gea to Old Trafford, where he received a commemorative award from former teammate Bruno Fernandes before kickoff.
Mason Mount was voted Man of the Match for his tireless pressing and effective link-up play. He combined well with Bruno Fernandes and new forwards Cunha and Mbeumo, playing a key role in creating chances and adopting an interchangeable attacking role in the second half to destabilize Fiorentina’s defense.
The game served as a final tune-up before the Premier League opener, with optimism about United’s squad depth and attacking options despite ongoing transfer activities. Overall, the friendly demonstrated promising attacking chemistry in United’s new-look forward line, resilience in a tight match, and a positive environment ahead of their competitive season opener.
The match was attended by 65,000 fans, who witnessed some exciting moments and encouraging signs for the upcoming season.
The match showcased both teams' football prowess, with Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo delivering standout performances for Manchester United. Later, during the thrilling penalty shootout, Diallo executed a stylish panenka to keep the game level.
In addition to the heart-stopping action on the field, the friendly also served as a platform to introduce the club's new signings, Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, to the eager football fans in attendance.
