Rúben Amorim is expected to play his best starting XI vs Fiorentina, but it may include a risky call for Manchester United’s final preseason fixture.
Manchester United will play their final pre-season match of 2025 this Saturday, as Rúben Amorim’s men take on Fiorentina at Old Trafford.
After recording two wins and two draws against Premier League opposition, United now face the Serie A side in their last test before the new domestic season begins.
The fixture will offer home fans their first look at summer signings Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon, and Bryan Mbeumo in red.
It also marks the return of former goalkeeper David de Gea, who hasn’t played at Old Trafford since his departure two years ago but remains a fan favourite.
Amorim to make risky call vs Fiorentina
With the fixture coming eight days before United’s opening Premier League match against Arsenal, Amorim is likely to field the starting XI against Fiorentina that most closely reflects who he wants to play the following weekend.
One exception is the goalkeeper position. Although André Onana is set to be fit to face Arsenal, he cannot play against the Serie A opposition, meaning Altay Bayındır is likely to be in goal at Old Trafford.
As for the centre-backs, they pretty much pick themselves. Leny Yoro has been sublime on the right of the back three, while Luke Shaw has been on a bespoke programme to manage his fitness. With Lisandro Martínez not yet fit, the latter is expected to start on the left.
There is a little toss-up between who should start in the middle between Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, but as the former seems to have been a more reliable defender in pre-season, so will most likely start.
As for the wing-backs, it looks almost certain that Amad and Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu will act as the wide men on the weekend, marking the first time this summer the pair have started as the two wing-backs across pre-season.
As for midfield, Amorim could take a risk. Bruno Fernandes is likely to start as one of the two in the middle of the park, and despite some “shocking” performances from Manuel Ugarte in the United States, he seems the most likely to pair with the captain.
As for the front three, it’s expected that new signings Cunha and Mbeumo will play on the left and right wings, respectively, as they continue to gel.
Although the new striker signing Benjamin Šeško is set to be unveiled in front of the Old Trafford crowd on Saturday afternoon, it’s unlikely that he will be in the squad to play, meaning Rasmus Højlund is the most likely candidate. However, the return of Joshua Zirkzee could see the Dutchman come off the bench.
United predicted XI vs Fiorentina
Bayındır, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Amad, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu, Mbeumo, Højlund, Cunha.
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