Manchester United wrapped up pre-season with a penalty shoot-out victory over Italian side Fiorentina on Saturday afternoon, carrying a decent run of form into the Premier League campaign.
It was an eventful afternoon at Old Trafford, with Manchester United unveiling the signing of Benjamin Sesko pre-match, at a loud standing ovation from the stadium.
The afternoon also saw David de Gea finally receive the goodbye that he is deserving of at United having been harshly axed without a goodbye two years ago.
However, the game itself was significantly less eventful, with United only able to draw 1-1 with Fiorentina in normal time.
There were some good performances during the game for United, with in the Red Devils unlucky not to have won the game inside normal time, having had the better chances.
So now the dust has settled, who were the winners and losers from the clash?
Ruben Amorim talking to Matheus Cunha.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Winners
First up, the winners.
Leny Yoro: The first of the winners we have jotted down is centre-back Leny Yoro, who barely put a foot wrong in the clash, looking like the best defender on the pitch, so effortlessly dealing with everything.
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Yoro was great for United against Fiorentina, running the show defensively but also showcasing his ability to carry the ball into midfield and pick out passes. The Frenchman has become so comfortable and complete over the past 12 months.
Now, it looks obvious that Yoro will become the generational defender he was billed to be, he just needs to keep doing what he’s doing. Yoro is a winner here because last season he wasn’t a guaranteed starter, this season he’s arguably one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Kobbie Mainoo: Alongside Yoro on the winners list is his good friend Kobbie Mainoo, with the young midfielder only getting a cameo, but grabbing his chance to impress with both hands.
Mainoo was excellent on the ball against Fiorentina, offering so much more than Casemiro in the deep midfield position as he evaded press with his ball carrying and found forward passes.
Mainoo is a winner as this surely showed Amorim that he needs to find a way to play Mainoo, with his quality in midfield too good and unique in this squad to not have playing. His involvement immediately improved his teammates as well, statement made.
David de Gea: The final winner of the game was Fiorentina goalkeeper David de Gea, as the Spaniard finally received the applause and respect he deserved from supporters when he left in 2023.
It meant a lot to De Gea, as Old Trafford erupted into a standing ovation more than once for the club legend who made 545 appearances for the Red Devils.
De Gea is also a winner because his performance was pretty good, making a handful of saves to deny Harry Maguire and Matheus Cunha particularly. The goalkeeper deserved his welcome on Saturday and he will certainly be delighted.
Losers
Now onto the losers.
Rasmus Hojlund warming up for Manchester United.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Rasmus Hojlund: There was no player that will be feeling as much of a loser after this game than Rasmus Hojlund, with the Dane seeing his United career come to a saddening conclusion.
Hojlund was an unused substitute for the second game running, as Amorim opted to instead start Mason Mount up top. The most damning thing was that post game, Amorim complained about having no striker, while the Dane sat on the bench.
With Sesko now official, there is no place for Hojlund, as harsh as that might be, the number nine has had two years and not earned a third. This game was the clearest sign that he has no future at the club.
Casemiro: Joining Hojlund on the losers list is experienced midfield general Casemiro who did look a little bit hopeless at times. Despite winning the ball on a handful of occasions, the game simply was running too fast for the Brazilian.
Casemiro’s brain is still telling him the perfect defensive positions to take up, but his legs won’t carry him there quick enough, leading to a real lack of mobility and intensity from the midfielder.
United need a new defensive midfielder, with neither Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte anywhere near good enough anymore. This game was a sign that we cannot start Casemiro against Arsenal, or risk being absolutely ran through.