One Manchester United star’s future looks clear as Rúben Amorim overlooks him during the club’s penalty shootout win over Fiorentina.
Rúben Amorim’s Manchester United concluded their 2025 summer schedule with a penalty shootout triumph over Fiorentina, following a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Benjamin Šeško was unveiled to the home fans before kick-off, but it was the Italian visitors who struck first, with Simon Sohm left unmarked to score inside ten minutes.
United soon hit back, as Bruno Fernandes’ superb corner delivery forced Robin Gosens to turn the ball into his own net after 25 minutes. Bryan Mbeumo then created further chances for Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven, but the sides went in level at half-time.
In the second half, United began to assert themselves, and a flurry of late substitutions from Amorim injected fresh impetus. Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount, and Amad all had opportunities to win it, yet the match remained tied at full-time.
The Snapdragon Cup was decided from the spot, with eight penalties converted before Altay Bayındır denied Fabiano Parisi. Kobbie Mainoo stepped up to bury United’s fifth kick, sealing the shootout win and the trophy.
Amorim made a U-turn with Højlund vs Fiorentina
Rasmus Højlund started two of United’s five pre-season fixtures this summer and had played in the previous four. However, in a U-turn from Amorim, the head coach did not play a single minute against Fiorentina amid speculation about his future.
Instead, Amorim chose to start Mount through the middle, and the English midfielder was “incredible” at Old Trafford, following the given instructions to a tee and providing United with a fantastic attacking platform.
In the second half, although Amorim wanted to change the striker to give Mount more freedom, he still opted against Højlund, instead shifting Mbeumo into a central role. Once the latter came off, Mount resumed his place up front.
it is a very telling sign about Højlund’s future that, with one week to go before the club face Arsenal on the opening weekend of the 2025/26 Premier League season, he is not involved in preparations on the field.
United to hold face-to-face talks with Højlund
Amid his lack of involvement on Saturday, United are set to hold face-to-face talks with the Danish international following the arrival of Šeško at the club.
According to Italian journalist Matteo Morreto, United and AC Milan are talking about the possibility of a loan deal with a fee of around £4 million with the option to sign him for around £35 million next summer.
Although Højlund wants to stay and fight for his place at the club, United will hold face-to-face talks with the 22-year-old in the coming days to understand what the best path for Højlund to take this summer is.
However, Morreto explains that if United were to tell Højlund he should leave, he would rather his move this summer be a permanent transfer instead of a loan with the possibility of returning next season.
With Amorim no longer keen to have Højlund on the field and the player the third-choice striker behind Šeško and Joshua Zirkzee, his future looks increasingly as if he will be out the door.
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