Manchester United Edge Fiorentina 5-4 in Penalty Shootout After 1-1 Draw.

Manchester United Edge Fiorentina 5-4 in Penalty Shootout After 1-1 Draw.

Manchester United vs Fiorentina: Pre-Season Friendly Highlights - Red Devils Edge Thriller on Penalties After 1-1 Draw.

By Sportstar Correspondent | August 10, 2025

                    Old Trafford, the Theatre of Dreams, played host to a captivating pre-season friendly on August 9, 2025, as Manchester United faced off against Serie A side Fiorentina in their final warm-up match before the Premier League kicks off.

Under the stewardship of manager Ruben Amorim, the Red Devils were looking to fine-tune their preparations ahead of a daunting opening fixture against Arsenal. What unfolded was a gripping encounter that ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, only for United to triumph 5-4 in a tense penalty shootout. The match was marked by an early Fiorentina goal, a fortunate own-goal equalizer, and the emotional return of legendary goalkeeper David de Gea to his former stomping ground.

This pre-season clash wasn't just about fitness and tactics; it carried layers of narrative. De Gea, who spent 13 illustrious years between the posts for United, captained Fiorentina and received a hero's welcome. New signings like Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and others got their first taste of Old Trafford's roar. Fiorentina, managed by Raffaele Palladino, brought a blend of experience with veterans like Edin Dzeko and Moise Kean leading the line. The game served as a stern test for both sides, highlighting strengths and exposing areas for improvement as the competitive season looms.

In front of a near-capacity crowd eager for glimpses of the new era under Amorim, the match delivered drama, skill, and a shootout that had fans on the edge of their seats. Let's dive into the full highlights, from pre-match buzz to the decisive spot-kicks.

Pre-Match Build-Up: New Faces and a Hero's Return

The atmosphere at Old Trafford was electric even before kick-off. Manchester United's summer transfer business had been aggressive, with the announcement of Benjamin Sesko's signing from RB Leipzig until 2030 stealing headlines just hours before the game. The Slovenian striker, known for his aerial prowess and clinical finishing, joined a revamped attacking unit that included Cunha from Wolves, Mbeumo from Brentford, and young talents like Amad Diallo pushing for starting spots.

United's line-up reflected Amorim's tactical flexibility, opting for a 3-4-2-1 formation: Altay Bayindir in goal, protected by a back three of Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven, and Harry Maguire, with Leny Yoro anchoring the midfield alongside Casemiro. Bruno Fernandes captained the side, supported by Mason Mount, Amad, and Mbeumo, with Cunha leading the line as the lone striker. It was a blend of youth and experience, with new boys Cunha and Mbeumo making their home debuts.

Fiorentina countered with a more traditional 4-2-3-1 setup, captained by De Gea. The backline featured Dodo, Marin Pongracic, Luca Ranieri, and Albert Gudmundsson, with Robin Gosens and Pietro Comuzzo in midfield. Nicolo Fagioli and Simon Sohm provided energy in the engine room, while Kean and Dzeko formed a potent strike partnership. The Viola's recent form (DLWWW) suggested they were no pushovers, having mixed results in their pre-season but showing resilience.

The pre-match ceremonies added emotional depth. As the teams emerged, United's new signings—Cunha, Diego Leon (though not starting), Mbeumo, and Sesko—were introduced to thunderous applause. But the spotlight belonged to De Gea. Bruno Fernandes presented him with a commemorative plaque, acknowledging his 545 appearances and 190 clean sheets for United. The crowd's ovation was deafening, a fitting tribute to the Spaniard who left in 2023 after a contract dispute. "The prodigal son returns," as one banner read, encapsulating the sentiment.
Team forms painted an intriguing picture: United (DWWDW) were unbeaten in their last five friendlies, building momentum, while Fiorentina's mixed bag indicated they could spring surprises. With kick-off approaching, the sprinklers doused the pitch, setting the stage for an enthralling 90 minutes.

First Half: Fiorentina Strike Early, United Fight Back

United kicked off proceedings, attacking from left to right, with Bayindir launching a long ball into the left flank. Fiorentina's defense cleared comfortably, but the early exchanges hinted at an open game. In the 3rd minute, Kean controlled the ball near halfway and surged forward, only for Maguire to intervene with a timely tackle. The Viola looked lively, pressing high and disrupting United's build-up.

The first chance fell to Fiorentina in the 4th minute. Ranieri intercepted in midfield, feeding Kean, who played a quick one-two with Dzeko. Kean met the return cross but headed over Bayindir's bar. It was a warning shot, and United's three-man defense—featuring the inexperienced Heaven—appeared vulnerable to the Kean-Dzeko duo's movement.

Kean's pressing paid off in the 6th minute when he fouled Heaven, but the referee waved play on. United struggled to assert dominance, with Casemiro's distribution erratic. Then, disaster struck for the hosts in the 8th minute. Fiorentina won a corner on the right, whipped in dangerously. United's defense stepped up to the near post, but the ball evaded them, falling to Sohm in space at the back. The Swiss midfielder slotted home with ease, sending Old Trafford into stunned silence. MUN 0-1 FIO. It was a soft goal, exposing defensive lapses that Amorim would undoubtedly address.
United responded with urgency. In the 10th minute, Dorgu was booked for fouling Dodo while chasing Maguire's long ball. Kean nearly doubled the lead moments later, racing onto a lobbed pass but flagged offside. The game settled into a rhythm, with Fiorentina dominating the midfield battle. Their pivot of Fagioli and Sohm exploited spaces ahead of United's Casemiro and Yoro, who were often caught flat-footed.

By the 14th minute, United showed signs of life on the left. Dorgu and Cunha combined neatly, exchanging quick passes to reach the edge of the box. Dorgu's layoff to Fernandes was short, allowing a sliding clearance. Two minutes later, Casemiro's wayward backpass gifted Dzeko possession, but the Bosnian couldn't capitalize.

Fiorentina's control waned as United pressed higher. In the 18th minute, De Gea nearly erred, hesitating on a backpass, but a defender blocked Mount's path. Casemiro led the charge in the 21st minute, pressing De Gea aggressively. Fiorentina circulated the ball but lost possession, allowing United to counter. Mbeumo was fouled on the right, earning a free-kick. His delivery targeted the far post, where Maguire headed wide after backpedaling.

The equalizer arrived in fortuitous fashion in the 25th minute. Mount's switch found Dorgu in space on the left; he cut back to Cunha, whose run won a corner. The set-piece was delivered deep, where Casemiro and Yoro jostled with defenders. The ball ricocheted off Gosens and into the net—an own goal! The Italians protested a push, but the referee waved away appeals. MUN 1-1 FIO. Luck favored United, but it ignited their momentum.

United dominated thereafter. In the 28th minute, Amad's runs from the right earned another corner. Two minutes later, Casemiro's diving header from a set-piece won yet another, leading to a stunning save from De Gea. Mbeumo played it short to Amad, whose cross found Yoro unmarked. The header was goal-bound, but De Gea parried brilliantly, reminding everyone of his class.

Cunha shone in the 32nd minute with a sublime touch to evade midfielders, though Mbeumo's pass was behind him. Fiorentina suffered a blow in the 36th minute when center-back Comuzzo limped off injured, replaced by Eddy Kouadio. The half wound down with United in ascendancy. Amad exploited space in the 38th, cutting back to Casemiro, whose effort was blocked. Mbeumo's short corner in the 41st found Heaven, whose guided header was caught by De Gea.

In the 43rd minute, Mbeumo's inward run and layoff to Casemiro led to Mount's volleyed pass going astray. As half-time approached, United looked the better side, with Mbeumo impressing on the right, linking seamlessly with Amad. The referee blew for the break: MUN 1-1 FIO. United had recovered from a sluggish start, but the lack of a clinical finisher was evident—Cunha worked hard but needed support.

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Second Half: United Dominate but Can't Find Winner

Fiorentina restarted the game after a brief delay for sprinklers. The second half began scrappily, with Heaven's misdirected pass in the 46th minute allowing a counter. Cunha fouled attempting to recover, and the ensuing cross struck Yoro, winding the defender. A shot from the edge was straight at him.

Fiorentina threatened in the 50th minute when a wayward pass into the left channel was kept in by Kean. His left-footed cross glanced off Sohm and hit the crossbar—a let-off for United. Two minutes later, Sohm found space again after Casemiro's backward header, but his shot was deflected behind by Heaven.

United regained control in the 53rd minute. Mount's high steal led to Amad, whose backheel found Fernandes at the edge; the captain's shot sailed high. In the 56th, Amad's pass to Casemiro near the touchline saw Gosens shove the Brazilian—no penalty, though it looked soft.

A rare Fiorentina spell in the 59th saw Gosens overrun his ball for a goal kick. Casemiro's 180-degree turn in the 60th opened space for Cunha's long-range shot, saved by De Gea. The 63rd minute brought changes: Fiorentina subbed off Dzeko, Ranieri, and Sohm. United's Fernandes free-kick found Amad, whose cross caused chaos—Heaven and Casemiro collided, looping the ball for a goal kick.

Maguire forced a diving save from De Gea in the 67th after Casemiro's tackle sparked a move. Fernandes fed Amad, who set up Mbeumo; the ball fell to Maguire for a powerful strike. Cunha dazzled in the 69th, dancing past two and crossing low, but Kean was offside on the follow-up.

Substitutions arrived in the 73rd: United replaced Mbeumo and Casemiro with Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo, Maguire and Heaven with Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw. Fernandes had space in the 75th from Amad's pass but couldn't beat the defender. Dorgu found room in the 77th but was forced wide; his cutback saw Amad tumble—no penalty.

Two more Fiorentina changes in the 79th: Pablo Mari for Pongracic, and Gudmundsson off. A glorious chance for Cunha in the 80th came from one-touch play with Mount and Fernandes. Bruno's setup was defended away brilliantly.

Manuel Ugarte replaced Mount in the 83rd as Fiorentina made three more subs. Kean ran past the defense in the 85th, but Bayindir blocked, and he was offside anyway. The crowd rose in the 87th to applaud De Gea as he was subbed for Tommaso Martinelli—a poignant moment.

In the 90th, Dorgu's risky backpass to Bayindir was short, allowing Kean a run. De Ligt defended superbly, forcing the shot wide. The referee blew full-time: MUN 1-1 FIO. United had grown into the game, creating more in the second half, but the absence of a sharp finisher was glaring. Sohm's opener was canceled by Gosens' own goal, setting up penalties.

Penalty Shootout: Drama at the Theatre

With the game tied, penalties decided the victor. Kean stepped up first for Fiorentina, stuttering his run before slotting into the right corner, wrong-footing Bayindir. 0-1.

Bruno Fernandes equalized for United, finding the bottom left. 1-1.

Fiorentina's number 4 rifled into the top corner. 1-2.

Cunha's stutter sat Martinelli down, cushioning into the empty side. 2-2.

Sabbrini found the bottom left. 2-3.

Dalot went straight down the middle. 3-3.

Cher Ndour's effort evaded Bayindir's guess. 3-4.

Amad's panenka fooled Martinelli. 4-4.

Parisi missed for Fiorentina—hard to Bayindir's left, saved with legs. 4-4.

Mainoo sealed it, powering to the bottom left. MUN 5-4 FIO!

United celebrated a shootout win, boosting morale ahead of Arsenal.
Post-Match Analysis: Tweaks Needed for Amorim's Side

This friendly highlighted United's potential and pitfalls. The defense, bolstered by new signings, showed vulnerability early but improved with de Ligt's introduction. Midfield lacked bite until Mainoo's entry, suggesting Casemiro's days as a starter might be numbered. Attack-wise, Mbeumo (impressive debut) and Amad provided width, Cunha worked tirelessly, but Sesko's absence underlined the need for a proven goalscorer.

Fiorentina acquitted themselves well, with Sohm's goal and De Gea's saves standing out. Kean and Dzeko's partnership troubled United, but substitutions disrupted their flow.

For Amorim, tweaks are essential—one week to Arsenal. Positives: unbeaten pre-season, new signings integrating. The De Gea tribute added heart, but results will define the season.