Manchester United beat Fiorentina in penalty shootout, De Gea returns to Old Trafford to shine

In a pre-season friendly match held at Old Trafford Stadium, Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea performed well, making many key saves, helping Serie A team Fiorentina draw 1-1 with Manchester United.

As the new season approaches, Manchester United coach Ruben Amorin sends a lineup close to the main force to face the visiting Fiorentina. The biggest focus of this game is undoubtedly De Gea - this is his first return to the Dream Theater since leaving Manchester United in 2023. The fans at the scene gave him warm applause and expressed their respect for the meritorious goalkeeper. After the start of the game, Manchester United quickly took the initiative, but the offensive cooperation was a little unfamiliar. The main attack direction is concentrated on the left, led by Amad and new aid Brian Mbeumo. Mbeumo showed good crossing ability, but his teammates in the penalty area repeatedly missed good opportunities.

De Gea performed well in her debut back to Old Trafford. In the 16th minute, Fiorentina seized the corner kick opportunity and No. 16 player Som scored a header, taking the lead. Manchester United equalized the score in the 25th minute, and Casemiro and Leni Yoro actively pressed in the frontcourt, resulting in Fiorentine player Robin Gossen accidentally making an own goal.

The offensives between the two sides remained open in the second half. Gossens once headed the ball to the crossbar, almost rewriting the score again. Subsequently, Mattus Cunia and Harry Maguire tried long shots one after another, but neither failed to break through De Gea's ten fingers. The former Manchester United goalkeeper has maintained a high level of focus and resolved dangers many times to ensure that the goal is not lost.

In the 80th minute, Mason Mount made a precise pass, and Cunia got an excellent one-on-one opportunity, but unfortunately the close-range shot was blocked by the Fiorentine defender. At the end of the game, Yoro headed the ball in the penalty area again, but was once again blocked by De Gea, who had a quick reaction.

As the end of the game approached, De Gea was replaced by young goalkeeper Tomaso Martinelli, enjoying the applause of the whole audience in advance, and therefore did not participate in the subsequent penalty shootout. In the end, Manchester United goalkeeper Arte Baindill saved a penalty in the final round, helping the Red Devils win the penalty shootout and win the third friendly trophy in the 2025 summer warm-up match.

Manchester United's official opening match of the 2025/26 season will start on August 17, and they will face Arsenal at home in the first round of the Premier League. By then, new aid Benjamin Sesco is expected to make his league debut and become a new focus of fans' attention.