Manchester United and Everton played out a 2-2 draw in the final game of the club’s US tour.
Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount were on target for the Red Devils. After wins over Bournemouth and West Ham, and other results in the competition, this draw meant Manchester United won the Premier League Summer Series trophy.
Here are five things we learned from the game, with United staying unbeaten in pre-season…
Bryan Mbeumo makes start and impresses
Bryan Mbeumo went straight into Manchester United’s starting line-up, showing how keen Ruben Amorim is to use his new signing.
Mbeumo played in the right ‘number 10 role’ with Matheus Cunha starting up front, and he looked really bright with every action he was involved in.
The former Brentford star looked determined to score, seeing a shot saved from a free-kick, and had another effort stopped from close range after a Bruno Fernandes effort was parried.
Mbeumo will get better and better, and this was a very encouraging opening display. He was substituted at half-time.
Bryan Mbeumo runs with the ball for Manchester United against Everton
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
United’s exciting attack on show
Ruben Amorim did not select a striker to start, leaving Rasmus Hojlund and Chido Obi on the bench. Impressively, United’s attack did not suffer for it.
More United News
With Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Amad and Bruno Fernandes on the pitch, there was a real goal threat and some of their combination play was outstanding.
United looked dangerous in possession and even more threatening on the transition, playing quick, direct football. Amad looked particularly lively in the wing-back role, winning the first-half penalty.
Amorim has some exciting options to choose from, and if you add in potential signing Benjamin Sesko to the mix, this will be a team nobody enjoys coming up against.
Manuel Ugarte caught out for Everton goal
Everton levelled the game in the first half after Bruno Fernandes’ penalty opener, scoring through Iliman Ndiaye.
Manuel Ugarte was caught out in midfield, losing possession, leading to a ball being played in for Ndiaye to finish first time.
Pre-season is a chance to get mistakes out of the way, but it is a little concerning this has happened with Ugarte, who plays in such a pivotal position in the team.
He made an error at the end of last season against West Ham that cost a goal, that led to him being dropped for the Europa League Final.
Everton’s second goal was an unfortunate mix-up that saw an attempted Amad clearance cannon off Ayden Heaven and trickle into the bottom corner.
Ugarte’s performance underlined why many fans are calling for a new midfielder to be signed instead of a striker.
Mason Mount states his case with impressive goal
Mason Mount was a second half substitute, and he will have felt harshly left out after a strong performance against Bournemouth.
Mount stated his case with an impressive goal in the 69th minute, curling a shot into the bottom corner after good work from Bruno Fernandes.
United fans are yet to see the best from Mount due to injury problems during his time at the club, but there is a real player in there, who still has something to offer.
Mount has looked good this pre-season and his goal will lift his confidence. He is at least in contention to start when the season kicks off, and could have a vital role to play in 2025/26.
Amorim tighten up the minutes
There are eight young academy players on tour, but only one of them got a look-in for this game, with Ruben Amorim tightening up his rotation.
The United boss called on established players like Mason Mount, Patrick Dorgu, Rasmus Hojlund and Harry Maguire to come off the bench.
Ethan Williams and Diego Leon were particularly unlucky to miss out after combining for a goal against Bournemouth. But this was reflective of Amorim wanting to treat this more like a regular Premier League game, and build up the minutes of his main players.
Tyler Fredricson came off the bench for the final three minutes, with Matthijs de Ligt picking up a knock and United wanting to take no chances.
Many of the players who missed out on game time like Jack Fletcher, Sekou Kone and Toby Collyer will have to pursue loan moves.