Man United edge Fiorentina on penalties

The final pre-season fixture features United welcoming Sesko and honoring De Gea as the club prepares for the new season.

Manchester United sign Benjamin Sesko and pay tribute to De Gea before friendly

Benjamin Sesko's move from RB Leipzig to Manchester United was confirmed on Saturday morning, with a deal reported to be worth up to £73.7 million. Two hours later the 20-year-old striker was greeted by a roar when introduced at Old Trafford, joining fellow summer signings Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon and Bryan Mbeumo as United prepared for the match against Fiorentina. The game finished 1-1, and went to a shootout where United prevailed 5-4 to win the Snapdragon Cup.

The day also honored David De Gea, who made 545 appearances for United. His name echoed around Old Trafford as captain Bruno Fernandes led a presentation honoring the goalkeeper, who is making his first return visit since leaving the club in 2023. The match saw Fiorentina take the lead through Simon Sohm, with Robin Gosens equalizing for United from a Fernandes corner. De Gea received a standing ovation when he was substituted as the shootout began and United converted eight penalties to seal the trophy.

United's transfer activity this summer signals a shift toward a more aggressive, attack minded profile. Sesko's fee underlines the club's willingness to invest big to revive a forward line that has underperformed at times. Yet the move sits beside several other arrivals and a clear goal to blend youth with experience, with De Gea's exit highlighting a broader generational change.

The test will be whether the new pieces fit together quickly enough to gain momentum in the Premier League, starting with Arsenal. Pre-season results matter less than the signals they send: the club wants pace, finishing, and a sharper press. The lingering question is whether the financial outlay is sustainable if results do not match expectations in the first half of the season.

Highlights

The season will reveal how far United can take this evolving plan