David de Gea enjoys Man Utd return for Fiorentina in friendly

There was something fitting about Altay Bayindir saving the penalty that earned Manchester United victory in their final pre-season friendly with Fiorentina.

This, after all, was the day David de Gea returned to Old Trafford.

It is two summers since De Gea was unceremoniously dumped by United after 545 appearances - putting him seventh on the club's all-time list - as then-manager Erik ten Hag opted to pay £47.2m to Inter Milan for Andre Onana.

De Gea said at the time he wondered whether he should pack in football altogether. He didn't - but the debate about the wisdom of his exit continues.

Many question whether Onana was worth it.

A direct comparison on this occasion was impossible. Onana was not involved as he continues his recovery from the hamstring injury that makes him a major doubt for next weekend's opening Premier League game against Arsenal.

If the Cameroon international is not fit, Bayindir will step in.

The Turkey international was expected to leave United this summer after losing out to Onana in the quest to feature in what turned out to be a Europa League final defeat by Tottenham.

But suitors for Bayindir have not been plentiful.

It will, at least, have done the 27-year-old's confidence some good to have turned away Fabiano Parisi's spot-kick - the only time either goalkeeper touched any of the 10 penalties - in a 5-4 shootout victory that followed Saturday's 1-1 draw.

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