Manchester United vs Fiorentina LIVE: Drama at Old Trafford as Gosens Own Goal Cancels Out Sohm Strike
1. Headline & Opening Summary
The Theatre of Dreams witnessed pure footballing drama as Manchester United and Fiorentina battled to a captivating 1-1 draw. Simon Sohm’s early goal for the visitors was cancelled out by a Robin Gosens own goal midway through the first half. The match featured emotional scenes as David de Gea returned to Old Trafford for the first time since leaving the Red Devils, while both managers used the pre-season encounter to test tactical ideas and evaluate new signings.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, 9 August 2025 |
| Venue | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| Competition | Pre-season Friendly |
| Final Score | Manchester United 1–1 Fiorentina |
| Goals | 8’ Sohm (Fiorentina), 25’ Gosens (OG - equaliser for Man United) |
2. The David de Gea Homecoming: Emotion and Excellence Collide
One of the most emotional moments came before kick-off when David de Gea walked onto the Old Trafford pitch wearing Fiorentina colours. The legendary goalkeeper, who made 545 appearances for Manchester United over 12 years, received a roaring ovation. Bruno Fernandes presented him with a framed photograph in honour of his contribution to the club. De Gea’s performance showed flashes of his trademark reflex saves, although he was unlucky with Gosens’ own goal. The fans’ reception confirmed his lasting bond with the club.
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Years at Club | 2011–2023 |
| Total Appearances | 545 |
| Trophies Won | Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League, 2x League Cup |
| Clean Sheets | 190 |
3. Sohm Stunner Silences Old Trafford
Fiorentina struck first in the eighth minute when Simon Sohm found himself unmarked inside the penalty area after a well-executed corner routine. The Swiss midfielder calmly slotted past United’s goalkeeper to give the visitors the lead. It was a moment that highlighted both Fiorentina’s sharp set-piece plays and Manchester United’s defensive vulnerabilities. The home crowd was silenced, but the goal provided a valuable wake-up call for Ruben Amorim’s side.
| Minute | Team | Player | Goal Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8' | Fiorentina | Simon Sohm | Right-footed finish from corner routine |
| 25' | Manchester United | Robin Gosens (OG) | Deflected corner into own net |
4. The Great Equalizer: Gosens' Misfortune, United's Fortune
Manchester United responded resiliently after conceding early, equalizing in the 25th minute through a chaotic own goal by Robin Gosens. A corner delivered by Bruno Fernandes created confusion in the Fiorentina box. The ball ricocheted off Leny Yoro and deflected off Gosens into his own net, much to the relief of the home crowd. This goal showed United’s persistence and set-piece threat, signalling a positive response under manager Ruben Amorim.
| Time | Set-piece Taker | Deflected Off | Goal Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25' | Bruno Fernandes | Leny Yoro and Robin Gosens (Own Goal) | Deflected Corner Kick |
5. Tactical Chess Match: Amorim vs Pioli
The match provided a fascinating tactical battle between Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 and Stefano Pioli’s 4-2-3-1 systems. United’s wing-backs pushed high to create attacking width while maintaining a compact midfield. Fiorentina relied on quick passing and tactical discipline to counter United's pressure, with creative players like Albert Gudmundsson facilitating attacks behind the lines.
Amorim’s adjustments, including advancing Bruno Fernandes later in the game, tested Fiorentina’s defensive shape. Pioli’s substitutions preserved intensity and pressing triggers, keeping their backline solid under pressure. The tactical nuances displayed both teams’ ambitions and coaching prowess in this pre-season encounter.
| Manager | Formation | Key Tactical Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ruben Amorim (Man United) | 3-4-2-1 | Wing-backs high, fluid midfield, false nine role |
| Stefano Pioli (Fiorentina) | 4-2-3-1 | Quick passing, pressing triggers, midfield creativity |
6. Benjamin Sesko Unveiled: The Future Arrives at Old Trafford
Before kickoff, Manchester United unveiled their exciting new signing Benjamin Sesko. Acquired from RB Leipzig for a fee reaching £73.7 million, the 22-year-old Slovenian striker promises to bring much-needed firepower. Standing at 6 foot 5 inches with pace and technical skill, Sesko is seen as a key figure in Amorim’s attacking plans.
Though not playing in this friendly, Sesko’s debut is expected soon, and fans are eager to see how he integrates with new signings like Cunha and Mbeumo. His presence symbolizes United’s ambition to bolster their frontline as the Premier League season approaches.
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 22 |
| Height | 6'5" |
| Previous Club | RB Leipzig |
| Transfer Fee | £73.7 million (including add-ons) |
| Position | Striker |
7. Second Half Drama and Defensive Concerns
The second half maintained a high tempo with both teams creating chances to take the lead. Manchester United controlled possession for much of the half, with Bruno Fernandes coming closest to scoring again with a long-range effort that went just over the bar. Fiorentina remained dangerous on counters, with Moise Kean and Edin Džeko troubling United's defense.
Defensive lapses continued to be a concern for United, especially during transitions when their backline was exposed. Injuries also disrupted rhythm, with young defender Ayden Heaven forced off early in the half. Fiorentina showcased solid tactical discipline, frustrating United’s attackers and maintaining pressure through their compact shape.
| Minute | Event | Player(s) Involved |
|---|---|---|
| 53' | Fernandes Long-range Shot Over | Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) |
| 60' | Near Miss: Cunha Shot Wide | Matheus Cunha (Manchester United) |
| 68' | Triple Substitution for Fiorentina | Viti, Richardson, Ndour on for Džeko, Sohm, Fagioli |
| 73' | Quadruple Substitution for United | Dalot, Mainoo, Shaw, De Ligt on; Mbeumo, Casemiro, Heaven, Maguire off |
8. Individual Performances and Tactical Insights
Several players impressed with their performances. Young defender Leny Yoro showed promising composure and pace, contributing notably to the equalizing goal. Bruno Fernandes adapted well to an advanced creative role, delivering quality set pieces and linking play effectively.
Simon Sohm’s goal for Fiorentina highlighted his technical and positional intelligence, validating his role in the side. David de Gea displayed veteran shot-stopping ability with crucial saves throughout, though he was unfortunate with the own goal. The match provided important tactical insights for both managers as they continue preparing for the competitive season ahead.
| Player | Team | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Leny Yoro | Manchester United | Composed defending, involvement in equalizer |
| Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United | Advanced playmaker, set-piece provider |
| Simon Sohm | Fiorentina | Opening goal, intelligent positioning |
| David de Gea | Fiorentina | Key saves, distribution improvement |
9. Pre-Season Conclusions and Arsenal Preview
The 1-1 draw provided a balanced end to Manchester United’s pre-season preparations, highlighting both promising tactical progress and areas requiring improvement. Defensive transitions and integrating new signings remain focus points for manager Ruben Amorim.
The upcoming Premier League opener against Arsenal will serve as a crucial test to measure United’s readiness. Arsenal’s intense pressing and technical quality will challenge United’s evolving system. Fiorentina demonstrated they can hold their own against strong opposition, signaling a positive outlook for their Serie A campaign.
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Pre-Season Result | 1-1 Draw vs Fiorentina |
| Strengths | Attacking creativity, set-piece threat, tactical flexibility |
| Areas to Improve | Defensive transitions, injury management, squad integration |
| Next Competitive Match | Manchester United vs Arsenal - Premier League Opener |
9. Pre-Season Conclusions and Arsenal Preview
The 1-1 draw provided a fitting conclusion to Manchester United’s pre-season, highlighting both promising tactical progress and critical areas requiring attention. United showed improved attacking flexibility and set-piece threat under manager Ruben Amorim, but defensive transitions and integrating new signings still need refinement prior to the Premier League opener.
Arsenal will present a sterner test next week, with their high press and technical quality sure to challenge United’s evolving system. Fiorentina, meanwhile, can be encouraged by competing well against strong English opposition, suggesting Stefano Pioli’s side are well-prepared for their Serie A and European campaigns.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Final Pre-Season Result | Manchester United 1 - 1 Fiorentina |
| Key Progress | Resilience, creative combinations, set-piece improvement |
| Main Weakness | Defensive transitions, squad integration |
| Upcoming Match | Man United vs Arsenal (Premier League opener) |
10. The Emotional Subplot: De Gea’s Legacy
Beyond tactics and pre-season preparation, the day was defined by emotion as David de Gea returned to Old Trafford. United fans paid tribute to one of their greatest-ever goalkeepers, who spent 12 years at the club and won multiple major trophies. De Gea’s commitment, loyalty, and memorable saves earned him a hero’s welcome, with supporters applauding during and after the match.
The respect shown between De Gea and the club, as well as his professional performance for Fiorentina, demonstrated why he continues to be highly regarded in world football. His improved distribution and competitive spirit added to the lasting legacy he leaves behind at Old Trafford.
| Period | Trophies Won | Memorable Moments |
|---|---|---|
| 2011–2023 | Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League, League Cup (2) | Penalty saves, match-winning performances, loyalty to club |
11. Looking Forward: Season Expectations and Tactical Evolution
As competitive football returns, both teams leave Old Trafford with key lessons and optimism. Manchester United must convert pre-season promise into Premier League points, with new signings like Sesko, Cunha, and Mbeumo poised to play crucial roles. Amorim’s tactics offer hope, but the challenge ahead is execution against top teams like Arsenal.
Fiorentina’s tactical discipline and technical ability under Pioli put them in a strong position for domestic and European competition. The match showed both clubs are ready to compete at a high level, with further squad development and tactical tweaks expected.
| Club | Key Objective | Immediate Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | Premier League top four, improved defense, quick squad integration | Arsenal opener, integrating Sesko, tactical execution |
| Fiorentina | Serie A top six, strong European runs, squad harmony | Start Serie A season, maintain tactical discipline |