Man Utd and De Ligt return home unbeaten after final match of pre-season tour

Manchester United concluded their pre-season tour of the United States on Sunday evening with a 2-2 draw against Premier League rivals Everton in Atlanta.

It marked the final leg of a productive but not flawless tour for Rúben Amorim’s side, who leave American soil unbeaten, having previously earned victories over West Ham United and Bournemouth.

The encounter with Everton offered a mixed bag of performances and emotions for the Red Devils. On the one hand, key starters like Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount showed promising signs of sharpness ahead of the new season. On the other hand, defensive lapses and a lack of cohesion in the second half allowed Everton to claw their way back into the match and deny United a third consecutive win.

Matthijs de Ligt, who started once again in central defense, continued to build valuable chemistry with his new teammates following his summer arrival from Bayern Munich. The Dutchman looked solid in the first half and played a crucial role in keeping Everton at bay for much of the opening 45 minutes.

The biggest talking point ahead of the match, however, was the debut of Bryan Mbeumo, the recent high-profile signing from Brentford. The 24-year-old winger was handed a start by Amorim but failed to make a significant impact. While his pace and positioning were evident, the execution was lacking, and he struggled to link up effectively with his teammates. Amorim had hinted earlier in the week that Mbeumo’s integration would take time, and after 45 relatively quiet minutes, the winger was replaced at halftime.

Despite the underwhelming debut, United looked in control for much of the first half. Bruno Fernandes, as always, led by example and opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Marcus Rashford was brought down in the area. Everton responded through Iliman Ndiaye, who capitalized on a rare defensive lapse to level the score. Mason Mount restored United’s lead just before the break with a composed finish after a slick move involving Diogo Dalot and Scott McTominay.

The second half saw a flurry of substitutions from both sides, typical of pre-season friendlies, which disrupted the flow of the game. United had opportunities to extend their lead, with Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho both going close, but it was Everton who struck next albeit unintentionally.

With just over fifteen minutes to play, 18-year-old United defender Ayden Heaven attempted to cut out a low cross from Everton’s Dwight McNeil but ended up deflecting the ball into his own net. It was an unfortunate moment for the young academy product, who had otherwise shown promise during his brief time on the pitch.

Manager Rúben Amorim remained measured in his post-match remarks. “There are always positives and lessons in games like this. We’ve had a good tour two wins, one draw, and many players getting valuable minutes. Bryan [Mbeumo] is a great talent, but he needs time to adapt. That’s normal. I’m pleased with the energy and focus of the group, but we still have work to do before Arsenal.”

Indeed, all attention now turns to United’s final pre-season fixture this coming Saturday against Fiorentina at Old Trafford. That match will likely provide Amorim with one last opportunity to fine-tune his preferred starting eleven ahead of a highly anticipated Premier League opener against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal on August 17.

There’s no doubt that expectations are high at Old Trafford this season. The arrivals of De Ligt and Mbeumo, combined with a new tactical identity under Amorim, have generated renewed optimism among supporters. Pre-season performances suggest that the team is steadily adapting to Amorim’s philosophy, which prioritizes vertical play, intense pressing, and dynamic ball movement.

However, as Sunday’s draw with Everton showed, United are not yet the finished product. Defensive concentration, squad depth, and attacking chemistry remain areas in need of improvement if they are to mount a serious title challenge in the coming campaign.

The U.S. tour may be over, but for Manchester United, the real journey begins now.