Manchester United rounded off their summer campaign on Saturday, as Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m) claimed his fifth attacking return of pre-season.
Nottingham Forest were also in friendly action.
We discuss any notable Fantasy Premier League (FPL) talking points from these matches below.
MANCHESTER UNITED 1-1 FIORENTINA
- Assist: Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes provided the assist for United’s only goal on Saturday, as his corner caused Robin Gosens to divert the ball into his own net.
Deployed in a deeper role, Bruno and Casemiro (£5.5m) weren’t able to control this match for the hosts; however, it is important to highlight that Fernandes racked up 12 defensive contributions, which included nine recoveries.
Above: Bruno Fernandes’ touch heatmap v Fiorentina on Saturday, via Sofascore
Benjamin Sesko (£7.5m), meanwhile, was presented to supporters on the pitch at Old Trafford, having sealed his move from RB Leipzig earlier in the day.
Two of United’s other summer additions, namely Bryan Mbeumo (£8.0m) and Matheus Cunha (£8.0m), did feature.
Neither player looks fully fit, but Mbeumo carried a threat with some wicked deliveries into the box and spent the second half up front.
He also created four chances for his teammates.
As for Cunha, he played off the left and almost netted the winner when he got on the end of Fernandes’ cross, but his effort was deflected over.
“I think they [Cunha and Mbeumo] are maybe 50/60 per cent of what they can do. I think, like any other team, we are going to improve during the season, they are going to be so much better. In some moments I felt that we, because of the one-v-one in all the pitch, we struggle without a reference as a striker. We have a new player [Sesko] so we’ll see.” – Ruben Amorim
With only Andre Onana (£5.0m) and Joshua Zirkzee (£6.0m) absent for United – they trained on Monday – the starting XI hinted at Ruben Amorim’s line-up plans for the opener against Arsenal.
Manchester United XI: Bayindir; Yoro, Maguire (de Ligt 73), Heaven (Shaw 73); Amad, Casemiro (Mainoo 73), Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo (Dalot 73), Cunha; Mount (Ugarte 84)
NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0-0 AL-QADSIAH
Nottingham Forest concluded their pre-season preparations with another lacklustre result, as they recorded their fifth goalless draw of the summer.
It means Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have scored just one goal in seven pre-season friendlies.
Against Al-Qadsiah, summer signing Igor Jesus (£6.0m) partnered Chris Wood (£7.5m) up front and headed a couple of efforts wide.
Substitutes Jota Silva (£4.5m) and Taiwo Awoniyi (£5.5m) were later denied, but Forest once again failed to find the breakthrough.
On a positive note, Morgan Gibbs-White (£7.5m) should provide some creativity in the No 10 role. He missed out here due to a family matter.
Five clean sheets in pre-season does at least offer some optimism ahead of Sunday’s opener against Brentford.
“We have kept a solidity at the back and within the team. Everyone is defending well… that is a positive. Of course, we would like to score a lot more goals but it is pre-season. The real business starts next week. That is when we must find the back of the net.” – Ola Aina
Neco Williams (£5.0m), meanwhile, linked well with Callum Hudson-Odoi (£6.0m) down Forest’s left flank and created a couple of chances for Jesus.
Nottingham Forest XI: Sels; Aina (Cunha 61), Murillo (Awoniyi 77), Milenkovic (Boly 61), Williams (Morato 77); Ndoye (Richards 77), Anderson (Sangare 61), Yates, Hudson-Odoi (Moreira 77); Wood (Stamenic 77), Jesus (Jota 61)
