Manchester United vs Fiorentina
Manchester United are in a buoyant mood following their Premier League Summer Series triumph in the United States, and Ruben Amorim’s men are flying back to Old Trafford as we speak.
They are undefeated in their last four matches against Leeds United (0-0), West Ham United (2-1), Bournemouth (4-1), and Everton (2-2). Up next for the Red Devils is another Club Friendly against Fiorentina, where they’ll see a familiar face this Saturday. This is their final tune-up match before they square off against Arsenal at the beginning of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, and the SBOTOP Club Friendly 2025 odds back them to win.
David De Gea will return to his old stomping grounds after his unceremonious exit from Manchester United in the summer of 2023. After spending the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign as a free agent, De Gea joined Fiorentina, and the Spanish international should get his much-deserved flowers this weekend.
La Viola are winless in their last two matches against Leicester City (2-0) and Nottingham Forest (0-0). Stefano Pioli’s men will open their Serie A campaign against Cagliari.
Talking Points
Amorim’s Manchester United is coming together
Winning the Premier League Summer Series was the ideal scenario for Ruben Amorim this summer, as it made the Red Devils believe that their project is on the right track. In the games played against Premier League sides in the United States, Manchester United played an attractive style of attacking football, generating eight goals in their last three matches.
The summer additions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo proved to be the difference for Manchester United, as they provided the team with the much-needed ammunition it lacked last season. Bruno Fernandes maintained his superb form, while Amad Diallo, Patrick Dorgu, Mason Mount, Diego Leon, and Kobbie Mainoo showed glimpses of their full potential under Amorim’s system.
Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton have also stepped up between the sticks, with Andre Onana nursing a leg injury. Bayindir will likely start against Fiorentina since Onana is held out by the team ahead of their league opener against Arsenal.
And it seems that Manchester United are not yet done this summer transfer window, as they’ve been linked to Benjamin Sesko, who’s reportedly keen on leaving RB Leipzig. The Red Devils have already tabled their offer to Leipzig, and Sesko is partial to the idea of joining Amorim’s side over Newcastle United. Acquiring Sesko would provide some much-needed competition at the striker position.
Fiorentina’s De Gea set for emotional return
David De Gea’s impending arrival at Old Trafford has generated substantial ticket revenue. According to reports, around 50,000 tickets were sold, as Manchester United fans are eager to see their former star again.
De Gea will be forever remembered as a Red Devil great because he made 545 appearances and won the club’s Player of the Year award a record four times. The 34-year-old goalkeeper also won a Premier League title, an FA Cup, two EFL Cups, three Community Shields, and one Europa League crown during his 12-year stint with Manchester United. The Spaniard played a key role in Fiorentina’s goalless draw against Nottingham Forest, as De Gea saved an early shot from Dan Ndoye, who was making his Forest debut.
Meanwhile, Moise Kean was once linked to Manchester United this summer, and the Red Devils will likely use this weekend’s game to see whether he can create new Club Friendly 2025 highlights.
History
Saturday marks only the fourth meeting between Manchester United and Fiorentina. After a 1-1 draw in their first encounter in February 1973, Fiorentina and Manchester United exchanged wins in the second group stage of the 1999-00 Champions League. The Red Devils took the top spot in Group B with four wins, one draw, and one loss (13 points), while La Viola narrowly missed out at eight points. Manchester United lost 3-2 to eventual champions Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
Manchester United are coming off their worst-ever finish in the Premier League after they accumulated only 42 points for 15th place. They also didn’t win a trophy for the first time in three years after losing 1-0 to Tottenham in the Europa League final. This meant that the Red Devils won’t play in Europe for the first time in a long time this upcoming season.
In contrast, Fiorentina are coming off one of their best Serie A seasons. La Viola finished sixth in the league with 65 points, sealing their return to the Europa Conference League. Fiorentina parted ways with Raffaele Palladino, who resigned in May, and reunited with Stefano Pioli.
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