Manchester United finished their pre-season with two “trophies” after they defeated Fiorentina on penalties to win the Snapdragon Cup.
The two teams were deadlocked at 1-1 at the end of regular time, with first-half goals from set-pieces by each team cancelling each other out.
Kobbie Mainoo hammered home the winning penalty after Altay Bayindir saved Fiorentina’s fifth to ensure the Old Trafford faithful went home happy.
Talking about “going home happy”, Ruben Amorim will be a delighted man because a player he gave an unexpected new position to vs Fiorentina passed that test with flying colours.
Manchester United v ACF Fiorentina - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
New Man Utd role for Mason Mount
Ruben Amorim was keen to stress how important Benjamin Sesko was for his team with his selection for the game.
Rasmus Hojlund started on the bench, and after Matheus Cunha’s stint as a No. 9 against Everton, it was surprisingly Mason Mount’s turn in the role.
Bryan Mbeumo has a history of playing as a striker, while Bruno Fernandes has played as a False 9 before, but Mount was in uncharted territory.
However, as the game went on, a move that came out of left field looked like borderline genius, as Mount read the tactical memo and performed it to a tee.
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His ability to press maniacally was best used as the first line of defence because he harried and pressed Fiorentina relentlessly.
He forced errors from the backline and was always at hand to show for the ball, or nick it away at the slightest hint of a loose touch.
The frustration with Mount remains his raw output in terms of goals and assists, but it was a complete performance outside of that.
Mount as the No. 9 opens up unique option for Ruben Amorim
Even though Mount didn’t score, the way he perfectly performed such a specific role will delight Ruben Amorim because it increases his tactical options.
Against teams that dominate possession against United, Mount could be the pragmatic selection up front, combined with the goalscoring prowess of Cunha and Mbeumo.
Sesko can be the dynamite option when United are expected to pile on the pressure and create chances, while Mount becomes the big-game pragmatist.
That is the kind of tactical flexibility every manager yearns for, and in this case, it allows Amorim to keep Mbeumo and Cunha in the positions where they do the most damage.
That is a win-win for all players involved in this dilemma, while also adding to the striker options at Old Trafford if and when Rasmus Hojlund leaves.
This game won’t be remembered for a long time, but the learning from it might well transform United’s season for the better.