Ruben Amorim completed his first pre-season as United manager with a penalty shootout win over David de Gea and Fiorentina to lift his third trophy with the Reds. Yes he's won three. They all count!
Shut up!
Good to see the ex-goalkeeper back at Old Trafford and given a standing ovation. Captain Bruno Fernandes handed the GK a commemarative placard for his 12 years of service at the club. This match felt like a bit of a testamonial for the legend and was even taken off with 3 minutes to go to be given a round of applause as he walked off.
Really good to see.
Could someone not lock him in the dressing room and let him out for next week's opener against Arsenal? Could use a 'keeper like him.
The game itself was very flat and disappointing. While only pre-season, this type of performance didn't do much to fill us with confidence heading into the new campaign.
Lineup
Interesting from Amorim to leave the striker out again. With all the rumors linking him with a move away from Old Trafford, this omission from the lineup and team overall suggests that time is up for Rasmus Hojlund. This all but confirms the manager not wanting him in his squad.
This meant that it was down to Mount to play up front which to be honest, isn't something we all want to see. Nor do we enjoy seeing either Cunha or Mbeumo as striker like we did last week. This takes away from what these players are good at and without a proper no 9, United seem to be missing something.
Amad was the RWB and is a position that he looks to be struggling to get to grips with. Understandable given he's never played there before but if he is to be the man for that role, it needs to work. And fast.
Bruno was back as a no 8 and it's fair to say that he had a mixed game again as the central midfielder, a position where most (except Amorim) deem him unfit to play.
The back three consisted of Yoro, Maguire and Heaven with Dorgu down the left and Casemiro next to Fernandes. Still no Onana meant Bayindir continued in goal.
Another interesting starting XI by the manager to say the least.
First Half
Both halfs were actually a game of two halves.
The start of the game saw the opponents have the better opening. An early attack by Fiorentina resulted in a United target in Moise Kean getting a header off after finding himself between Maguire and Yoro. Not the best of marking by the defenders but luckily, he missed the mark.
However, not long after, they did get their goal. A couple of issues that have been prevalent at United for so long came to the fore once more. Poor marking from a set-piece (corner) meant that Sohm was unmarked at the back post. A well-slotted finish into the bottom corner followed giving Bayindir no chance.
A terrible start to the game after such a positive week for United.
That did however, wake the hosts up as MUFC then started to take control of proceedings. All of Amad, Mbeumo, Cunha, Mount and Bruno finally getting into the game.
United then win a free-kick midway through the half and after a shot from Casemiro, it saw Gosens put the ball into his own net. United level just 17 minutes after going behind.
Some decent play followed but nothing to suggest that the side would take the lead and go on to win the game.
Second Half
Much like the first, it was the visitors who began the half the better. A couple more attacks from them early on as Fiorentina even hit the bar.
This didn't have the same effect on United as when Stefano Pioli's men scored in the first as the home side were still a little dead.
There were some moments thereafter but nothing that brought fans to the edge of their seats.
When looking at the stats from the game, you'll see that United had just 5 shots on target despite 14 attempts at goal. Old boy de Gea had a pretty easy afternoon upon his return.
As the game ended in a draw, it went to penalties with United getting the job done 5-4. Bayindir showing us a little of what he did in that shootout win over Arsenal in the FA Cup with the save that won us the game. Perhaps one of the last times we'll see him at Old Trafford if reports are to be believed that he could leave the club.
Verdict on Amorim
He would be happy that his side managed to get back into the game because we have had the habit of dropping our heads after going behind.
However, going behind initiallt was the problem because it was so early on in the game and in a manner in which we've conceded several goals in the past. To let one in at the back post from a corner is not what he will have wanted to see heading into a match against specialists from corners in Arsenal.
His midfield was also exposed once more as Casemiro and Bruno didn't work as well as he may have wanted. Amad was also not the best at right wing-back.
Defensively, United were solid enough with the likes of Yoro and Dorgu putting in good performances again. Mount was another who looked good with bright moments from Cunha as well. Mbeumo was hit and miss but that is to be expected given he's hardly featured for United this pre-season.
On the new signings, Amorim said that “They [Cunha and Mbeumo] are perhaps at 60% of what they can do. Like other teams, we will improve as the season progresses. They will be much better."
Even with his lineup, Amorim sends a warning to the players in that they "have one week to change his mind" as he already has an idea of who he wishes to pick for the season opener. I don't think there would've been too many from this performance that would've made the manager think that they deserve a start.
I think we can all see that the two new recruits are not at their best yet and hopefully that will come against the Gunners. It was also clear that without that focal point up front, MUFC struggled. The manager acknowledged this by saying that "At times we struggled without the reference as a striker... we have a new striker now" in reference to Sesko.
And finally, with the new striker joining, it was good to see him unveiled at Old Trafford as well. Sesko is an exciting player and makes us all believe that perhaps fortunes in attack can change with that completely new front line of Mbeumo, Cunha and Sesko. That gave us something to cheer about after a disappointing match.
Pre-season review will be out soon and there is much to discuss. Most of it NOT what we wanted to see 👀.
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I'm at no 33 🙌.
Man Utd end pre-season by lifting Snapdragon Cup after penalty shootout win over Fiorentina | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)