A reunion is on the cards for Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea as Fiorentina visit Old Trafford to take on Manchester United in a pre-season friendly. Both teams are finalising preparations as the new campaign beckons.
Manchester United are coming off their worst-ever Premier League campaign, finishing 15th in the table and suffering a 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final. They have had a busy transfer window with the acquisition of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, while striker Benjamin Sesko is also on their radar.
The Red Devils appear to be slowly shaking off their issues from last term and are looking solid in preseason. Ruben Amorim’s team are unbeaten in their last five matches and played out a 2-2 draw with Everton in their previous fixture to seal the Premier League Summer Series title.
Fiorentina, meanwhile, finished sixth in Serie A last season and will hope to kick on from there next term. Stefano Pioli is the new man at the helm for the Serie A side and will be keen to build some confidence ahead of the new season.
La Viola made a bright start to preseason, winning their opening three matches. However, they have lost their way in the last two matches, having faced two English sides. The Italians were beaten 2-0 by Leicester City before a 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest last time out.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing United
Manchester United have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at odds of 7/10 by BoyleSports to claim the win. A victory for Fiorentina is valued at 16/5 while a draw is set at odds of 13/5.
Head to head: All square so far
Both teams met twice during the 1999/00 UEFA Champions League, with Fiorentina claiming a 2-0 home win while Manchester United earned a 3-1 victory at Old Trafford.
Players to watch: Fernandes to star again
Bruno Fernandes has been one of Manchester United’s best players since joining the club and remains as pivotal as ever. He scored three goals in the Summer Series and with Cunha and Mbeumo also keen to get off the mark, the Red Devils could produce over 1.5 goals – valued at 4/6 with BoyleSports.
Moise Kean will be one to keep an eye on for Fiorentina after bagging 25 goals in all competitions. With veteran striker Edin Dzeko also expected to feature at some point on Saturday, La Viola could be set to produce over 1.5 goals – priced at 2/5.
Probable line-ups:
With Andre Onana still out with a hamstring issue, Altay Bayındır is expected to step in between the sticks for Manchester United. Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro should provide the defensive cover, while Mbeumo and Cunha are set to feature in attack.
For Fiorentina, de Gea looks set to make an emotional return to Old Trafford as the starting goalkeeper. Captain Luca Ranieri will be joined by Pablo Marí in the defence, with Kean expected to lead the line while Dzeko could earn some minutes off the bench.
Man Utd: Bayindir; Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Cunha, Hojlund, Mbeumo
Fiorentina: De Gea; Comuzzo, Mari, Ranieri; Dodo, Richardson, Ndour, Gosens; Faglioli, Fazzini, Kean
Anything else catch the eye?
Manchester United’s last two matches have produced over 3.5 goals – offered at 6/4 by BoyleSports. Four of their last five fixtures have also produced over 2.5 goals (Available at 8/13), while there have been goals for both teams in those four matches (BTTS YES – set at odds of 8/13).
There have been over 1.5 first-half goals in Manchester United’s last two matches (First half over 1.5 goals – valued at 11/8).
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