Amorim sent clear Man Utd transfer demand hours after Benjamin Sesko arrival

Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw with Fiorentina in their final pre-season match on Saturday at Old Trafford after unveiling the £74million signing of Benjamin Sesko

Manchester United supporters have begged the club to sign a holding midfielder after watching Casemiro toil in the final friendly of pre-season. United were held to a 1-1 draw by Fiorentina at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, underlining that they still have a long way to go under Ruben Amorim.

United found themselves 1-0 down after just eight minutes as Simon Sohm was left completely unmarked from a corner to put Fiorentina ahead. The hosts levelled shortly after with an own goal from Robin Gosens from a set piece of their own but couldn’t find a winner.

Amorim fielded Casemiro alongside captain Bruno Fernandes in central midfield, with Mason Mount playing as a false No.9 up front with new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. Benjamin Sesko was introduced to the crowd before kick-off after completing his £74million move from RB Leipzig and fans called out for another transfer during the game.

Casemiro is now 33 years old and has been with United for three years following a move from Real Madrid. He has been linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia, but that hasn’t materialised and some fans are frustrated by his performances.

“Casemiro does everything in slow mo,” one wrote on X. “Casemiro’s knees have gone for real, he’s a masters player now,” another added. A third wrote: “Casemiro is finished. So slow. Desperately need a midfielder.”

It is clear who the fans have in mind: Carlos Baleba. The Brighton star has been linked with a move to United, but the Seagulls value him at over £100m, making a deal very difficult to do. Nevertheless, Casemiro’s performance against Fiorentina has some convinced that Baleba is worth it.

“Casemiro's legs are gone. Ugarte is error prone. United desperately need a DM,” one fan wrote. “He's only playing Casemiro and Fernandes in midfield so he can demand Baleba is in by Wednesday,” another added. A third joked: “Wise of Amorim to pick Casemiro in midfield to highlight why we need Baleba.”

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Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo both made appearances off the bench against Fiorentina in the second half, while Toby Collyer was another midfield option in the squad. Meanwhile, it was telling that Rasmus Hojlund was left on the bench, despite no other centre-forward being available.

Hojlund’s place is clearly under threat following the arrival of Sesko, who scored 21 times for Leipzig last season. The Dane struggled last season, netting just 10 times in all competitions, with just four in the league, and could be sold to raise funds for further deals.

United have already splashed over £200m to bring in Sesko, Cunha, Mbeumo and left-back Diego Leon, but still want further additions. A new goalkeeper to challenge Andre Onana and Altar Bayindir is on the cards, as well as a No.6 midfielder. The club has until the end of September to reinforce their squad, which finished 15th last season.