Cunha And Mbeumo Offer Glimpse Of United’s New Era But Old Boy De Gea Steals Show | Will Unwin

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David de Gea betwixt nan sticks astatine Old Trafford was a infinitesimal of nostalgia for Manchester United fans, a timely reminded of amended times. The goalkeeper’s departure astatine nan extremity of nan 2023 play epitomises nan club’s self-inflicted problems, nan benignant of business ineptitude that has scarred United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe will request is simply a point of nan past.

When André Onana, a goalkeeper well-known to nan past head Erik 10 Hag, was disposable for nothing, United allowed De Gea to tally down his statement and past walk £40m connected nan Cameroonian a twelvemonth later. The logic was mislaid connected everyone, missing retired connected a interest for nan Spaniard, contempt a subpar last season, and past splashing retired connected an inferior replacement.

David de Gea acknowledges nan applause of nan Manchester United fans.
David de Gea acknowledges nan applause of nan Manchester United fans. Photograph: Molly Darlington/Getty Images

De Gea took a play disconnected and returned to go nan champion successful people successful Serie A. He was nan first Fiorentina subordinate sent retired to lukewarm up 45 minutes earlier kick-off astatine Old Trafford and was fixed a opinionated ovation. After all, he won nan club’s subordinate of nan twelvemonth connected 4 occasions, erstwhile it meant thing to beryllium United’s champion player.

Things request to beryllium different pinch Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. They are replacements for high-quality individuals who, for various reasons, are not wanted by Ruben Amorim. Few tin uncertainty that Marcus Rashford, now astatine Barcelona, is not a world-class guardant and Alejandro Garnacho has nan imaginable to beryllium 1 of nan champion wingers connected nan planet. Chelsea are keen to motion him

United’s caller beforehand 3 has costs much than £200m, a sum they will not recoup successful income this summer. Rashford’s wages are being covered, Jadon Sancho is proving difficult to displacement and Antony is awaiting offers but a indebtedness is likely.

With Sesko successful nan stands aft nan confirmation of this transportation connected Saturday morning, Mason Mount was, surprisingly, fixed nan mendacious No 9 role, pinch Mbeumo and Cunha down to statesman with. There was a travel successful nan last 3rd arsenic nan players swapped positions, though that is improbable to beryllium nan lawsuit adjacent play against Arsenal erstwhile Sesko is disposable and Amorim acknowledged United “struggled without a reference arsenic a striker” successful his rigid 3-4-3 formation. Rasmus Højlund stayed connected nan bench, arsenic United went 90 minutes without a accepted No 9, an denotation of nan Dane’s prospects.

It is difficult to study overmuch astir nan “new” United connected this showing against nan Italian club. Amorim said he should beryllium judged aft a afloat pre-season pinch nan squad. Come nan commencement of nan Premier League, United will beryllium different, arsenic Sesko will beryllium demanding crosses and passes successful behind, strategies not imaginable pinch Mount arsenic nan astir precocious forward.

New signings Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Diego Leon and Matheus Cunha are presented to nan fans earlier kick-off.
New signings Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Diego Leon and Matheus Cunha are presented to nan fans earlier kick-off. Photograph: Matt West/Shutterstock

The attraction connected Saturday was connected Mbeumo and Cunha, to spot what they bring to a squad that lacked ideas, productivity and objective finishing connected their measurement scoring 44 goals successful 38 Premier League games and vanished 15th. Mbeumo brought a postulation of neat touches, bringing teammates into play, but Amorim admitted United had a “lack of fluidity”. That said,the Cameroon international’s lightness of touch and thought was capable to springiness optimism.

Attitude is imperative for Amorim, and Mbeumo showed dogged determination to triumph nan shot and chased everything, moreover if it was forlorn. The head wants players to group nan tempo, that nan bare minimum required is 100% effort and Mbeumo has that. In a crippled played astatine obscurity adjacent afloat speed, United still lacked mobility from their cardinal midfield duo of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.

Cunha, connected nan different hand, is known for stepping astir nan transportation erstwhile nan shot is not astatine his feet. When it is, however, he comes alive. He tin transportation nan shot done protect lines, turning opponents. Excitement has been lacking astatine Old Trafford and a subordinate for illustration Cunha has nan expertise to animate nan crowd. Replica Cunha shirts are already celebrated pinch fans pinch nan names of Cantona, Beckham and Ronaldo connected their backs, because United supporters emotion a maverick.

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During a break successful play, Amorim beckoned Cunhato connection elaborate instructions, an parameter that nan Brazilian still has plentifulness to study astatine United.

For Sesko to beryllium served, United’s wing-backs will beryllium important. One nan right, Amad Diallo brought his ain marque of dribbling to onslaught but without nan telling last shot reaching a United player.

While nan beforehand 3 has been overhauled, everything down remains unchanged, truthful it was concerning nan easiness pinch which United conceded nan opening goal. Two Fiorentina players were near unmarked astatine nan backmost station from a corner, allowing Simon Sohm a elemental decorativeness from 12 yards.

It was not nan confidence-boosting commencement United’s defence aliases Altay Bayindir desired. After an ain extremity brought nan equaliser, nan shootout was settled erstwhile Fabiano Parisi’s punishment was saved by nan stand-in goalkeeper earlier Kobbie Mainoo scored to make it 5-4 and< United nan Snapdragon Cup winners.

Fiorentina will beryllium United’s only European guidance this season, allowing plentifulness of clip for bonding connected nan training crushed betwixt nan caller arrivals. Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko whitethorn dream to 1 time person a send-off for illustration De Gea, who was substituted pinch minutes to go, receiving his 3rd ovation of nan day. United’s level will beryllium hoping they were waving goodbye to a past era arsenic they look to ignite a caller one.

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