Man United take on Fiorentina in their final pre-season friendly of the summer at Old Trafford on Saturday.
19:12, 08 Aug 2025Updated 08:55, 09 Aug 2025
Steven is a senior writer and covers Manchester United for the Manchester Evening News. You can follow Steven on Twitter at @StevenRailston.
Ruben Amorim will be eyeing a third win of pre-season.(Image: Vincent Carchietta/Getty Images.)
Manchester United will be eyeing a winning conclusion to their pre-season schedule when they welcome Fiorentina to Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.
Playing on home soil for the first time this summer, United will be hoping to preserve their unbeaten pre-season record after wins over West Ham United (2-1) and Bournemouth (4-1) and draws with Leeds United (0-0) and Everton (2-2).
United returned from their pre-season tour of the United States with an upbeat mood flowing through the camp after a productive fortnight on the other side of the Atlantic. They also returned with a trophy after winning the Premier League Summer Series.
Head coach Ruben Amorim has shuffled his pack throughout pre-season, making six changes from game to game, meaning he could follow suit again in M16. Below, our writers have had their say on how they would like to see United line up…
Steven Railston:
The Premier League season is now just a week away, so the starting team for the final pre-season friendly of the summer should reflect which players Amorim is likely to start against Arsenal.
With that in mind, Maguire should start for the first time this summer. Yoro, De Ligt and Maguire is the strongest back three combination, and the England international has been getting up to speed after a small injury.
Mainoo and Fernandes are an unconvincing partnership, but Ugarte didn’t cover himself in glory in the States. In attack, Mbeumo should start on the right after making his first appearance in the final USA game.
George Smith:
With Onana not expected to feature, I would like to see Heaton given another opportunity in goal. He was excellent in the second half against Leeds and impressed in the win over Bournemouth.
If Amorim is planning to use the visit of Fiorentina to deploy an XI as close to the one he plans to unleash against Arsenal, Yoro, De Ligt and Heaven should make up the back three.
Amad and Dorgu are the leading candidates to start in the wing-back positions. The latter was particularly impressive during the tour.
Fernandes and Ugarte could start in midfield alongside each other for the first time this pre-season. United have seen the best and the worst of the latter this summer.
Mbeumo deserves another start after making his bow in Atlanta against Everton. Cunha and Hojlund should complete the attack.
How George would like to see Manchester United line-up against Fiorentina.
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