Manchester United lifted the Premier League Summer Series trophy in Atlanta, USA, after registering a 2-2 draw from a competitive and sometimes feisty match against Everton.
The draw meant Ruben Amorim’s Reds finished top of the Summer Series group following previous wins over West Ham and Bournemouth, leading to a trophy presentation and capping a positive trip to the States.
United’s attention now turns to next Saturday’s Old Trafford outing against Fiorentina in the Snapdragon Cup, the team’s final match before the much-anticipated Premier League opener with Arsenal on 17 August.
FIRST HALF
The headline news ahead of kick-off was Amorim’s decision to start Mbeumo and provide the new signing with his first minutes as a Red.
The powerful forward began as one of two no.10s alongside Fernandes, with our other big-name signing Matheus Cunha leading the line in a tantalising trio.
There was an early sign of quality from United’s exciting forward line when Mbeuno, Fernandes and Amad all contributed to Cunha poking a shot just wide of the post.
Academy graduate James Garner saw a 30-yard free-kick saved by Altay Bayindir moments later, leading to Jake O’Brien striking the post from the rebound.
Beto then thought he had scored when he rounded Bayindir to slot home, but the linesman’s flag had been correctly raised for offside.
To the delight of our fans, Mbeumo began to play a more prominent role as the half continued and particularly from set-pieces, with a whipped free-kick testing Pickford in the 28th minute.
Bryan then had two quickfire efforts blocked from close range and his energy was impressive, considering this was his first outing of the pre-season campaign.
Against the run of play, Everton managed to restore parity just before the half-time break when Iliman Ndiaye latched onto a far-post cross to execute a neat finish.
Mbuemo was replaced by Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu at the start of the second half as Amorim continues to carefully manage the former’s game time. It will be interesting to see how many minutes he plays against Fiorentina next Saturday.
Widespread changes followed from both Ruben and Everton boss David Moyes around the hour mark as the second half became quite a disjointed affair..
One of the introductions included Mason Mount and the Englishman produced a genuine moment of quality to make it 2-1 in the 69th minute, receiving a Fernandes pass with his left foot, spinning and unleashing a delicious right-footed finish.
Everton equalised for a second time in a move that began with Fernandes and Ndiaye clashing angrily in the centre circle. The Toffees played on and levelled somewhat fortuitously when Amad’s attempted tackle cannoned off Ayden Heaven.
United had an excellent chance to win the game late on when Dorgu latched onto a superb pass from Mount to run through on goal. The wing-back chose to shoot and there was frustration from Rasmus Hojlund when the effort went wide.
While a third consecutive win was just out of reach, the Reds will leave the United States with plenty of reasons for optimism.
United: Bayindir, Yoro (Maguire 57’), De Ligt (Fredricson 88’), Shaw (Mount 57’), Amad, Ugarte (Hojlund 72’), Mainoo (Mount 57’), Dalot, Fernandes, Mbeumo (Chinazaekpere Dorgu (45’), Cunha (Hojlund 72’).
Subs not used: Heaton, Mee, Leon, Obi, Kone, Collyer, Williams, Mantato.
Booked: Fernandes
Everton: Pickford, O'Brien, Keane, Tarkowski (Onyango 61'), Garner, Gueye (McNeill 61'), Iroegbunam (Chermiti 84'), Mykolenko, Ndiaye (Armstrong 84'), Alcaraz (Aznou 61'), Beto (Barry 60').
Subs not used: Travers, Tyrer, Clarke, Heath, Thomas.
Booked: Ndiaye