De Gea Returns to Old Trafford for Pre-season Friendly against Fiorentina

Manchester United have announced their final pre-season fixture for the upcoming campaign will be against Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 9, marking a potential emotional return for former United goalkeeper David de Gea. This match will be De Gea’s first at Old Trafford since his departure in 2023, following a record 12-year tenure in which he made the most appearances by a goalkeeper in the club’s history. De Gea, now Fiorentina’s first-choice keeper, joined the Italian side after a year as a free agent and has played a key role in their recent Serie A campaign. The friendly concludes a pre-season schedule that also includes games in Sweden and the US, designed to prepare United’s squad with competitive matches in varied environments before the Premier League season begins. United’s technical director Jason Wilcox emphasized the importance of the fixture for both player readiness and giving fans worldwide opportunities to see the team live. The match will also serve as the deciding game for the Snapdragon Cup, a regular feature of United's pre-season tours.