The hosts were stunned early when Swiss midfielder Simon Sohm capitalized on a defensive lapse to give Fiorentina the lead in the 8th minute. United responded in the 25th minute, as a chaotic corner from Bruno Fernandes forced an own goal from Robin Gosens, leveling the score. Despite periods of dominance and several promising chances—most notably from Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha—the Red Devils struggled to break down a disciplined Fiorentina defense.
The match saw a series of tactical substitutions by manager Ruben Amorim, with notable contributions from newcomers and established players alike. As the final whistle blew, the score remained 1-1, forcing the outcome to be decided by penalties in front of the Stretford End.
The shootout was marked by high-quality spot kicks, with both sides converting confidently until Fiorentina’s Fabiano Parisi was denied by United keeper Altay Bayindir. Kobbie Mainoo then stepped up to fire home the decisive penalty, sealing a 5-4 shootout win and sparking celebrations among the Old Trafford faithful.
This result capped an eventful afternoon that showcased United’s summer investment of over £200 million and offered fans a glimpse of the squad’s new faces. However, the overall performance also highlighted areas for improvement, with United still searching for a clinical edge ahead of their Premier League opener against Arsenal next week.
For Fiorentina, the match demonstrated their resilience and tactical organization, with manager Stefano Pioli’s side looking sharp ahead of their Serie A campaign. The occasion was also significant for De Gea, who received a warm ovation from the home crowd during his Old Trafford return and subsequent late substitution.
The Snapdragon Cup may be a pre-season trophy, but the tension and quality on display—especially during the penalty shootout—provided a fitting finale to United’s preparations. All eyes now turn to the competitive fixtures, with both clubs aiming to build on the positives from this encounter.
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