Bruno Fernandes had a goal and an assist as Manchester United won the Premier League Summer Series with a 2-2 draw against Everton at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Fernandes gave Man Utd a pair of leads they could not hold, the first from the spot and the second with a fine feed to Mason Mount.
WATCH — Manchester United vs Everton full match replay on Peacock
Everton’s answers came from a solid Iliman Ndiaye volley and a goofy Amad Diallo own goal, as the Toffees managed to avoid losing all three of their Summer Series games.
The point gives Man United seven points, one more than second-place West Ham. Bournemouth’s three points leave them third and Everton finish bottom.
Summer Series performances, not silverware, the reason for hope
Manchester United’s size means the club enters every season expecting to win the league series against foes like Bournemouth, West Ham United, and Everton, but the club’s dreadful 2024-25 campaign mean it’s fair for the Red Devils to celebrate a little after winning the Summer Series group with wins over the former two sides before a draw with Everton. United’s attack looked much, much better over the last fortnight as Matheus Cunha’s signing has joined healthy Amad Diallo and Mason Mount in producing hope for Bruno Fernandes. And that’s without some good vibes coming from still-young Rasmus Hojlund and with just 45 minutes of Bryan Mbeumo in the books. The wide players are the key to Ruben Amorim’s plans and the midfield will be so important, too — Manuel Ugarte made a big mistake on Sunday — but the forwards and center backs look much-improved as Amorim has nothing to dislike from this trip to the United States.
What’s next?
Everton finish the preseason a friendly with AS Roma on Saturday at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the same day that Man United host Fiorentina at Old Trafford.
How to watch Manchester United vs Everton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 5pm ET Sunday
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
Manchester United vs Everton final score: 2-2
Bruno Fernandes pen 19′, Iliman Ndiaye 40′, Mason Mount 69′, Amad Diallo o.g. 75′
Catching up on subs
Into the waning moments in Atlanta with Man United on track to win the Summer Series.
Youssef Chermiti and Harrison Armstrong replace Iroegbunam and Ndiaye.
De Ligt exits for Tyler Fredericson.
Manchester United own goal — Man Utd 2-2 Everton
Tyler Onyango leads a rush down the right and fires a pass inside to Dwight McNeil.
The ball turns off Ayden Heaven and Amad Diallo in rapid fashion, zipping inside the Red Devils youngsters’ own goal.
Level in the 75th minute.
Two more Man Utd subs
Rasmus Hojlund and Casemiro will take the field in place of Matheus Cunha and Manuel Ugarte.
The Red Devils lead 2-1 in the 72nd minute.
Mason Mount goal — Manchester United 2-1 Everton
Bruno cuts a pass through two Everton defenders and Mason Mount wastes not time, turning and blazing a shot inside the far post, just past the reach of a flying Pickford.
Mount’s curler reclaims lead for Manchester United
Mason Mount reclaims a lead for Manchester United in their Summer Series matchup against Everton, turning and firing a curler to move the Red Devils ahead 2-1.
Everton subs
Tarkowski, Beto, Gana Gueye, and Alcaraz exit the Summer Series.
Tyler Onyango, Thierno Barry, Adam Aznou, and Dwight McNeil come into the game just after the hour mark.
More moves for Man Utd
Mason Mount, Ayden Heaven, and Harry Maguire enter for Bruno Fernandes, Luke Shaw, and Kobbie Mainoo.
1-1, 57′.
One sub at the break
Patrick Dorgu enters for Mbeumo, whose Man United debut ends at 45 minutes and a couple of exciting moments.
Halftime — Man United 1-1 Everton
Much better from the Toffees to finish the half.
Ruben Amorim tells NBC’s Rebecca Lowe that United is struggling with Everton’s long balls and height. He wants the attack to be a little more natural and not formulaic.
Iliman Ndiaye goal — Man United 1-1 Everton
Ugarte is caught on the ball pushing away from his 18, and Idrissa Gana Gueye sends the loose ball toward the back post.
Iliman Ndiaye does so well with his first-time shot, pummeling it across goal and inside the far post.
Ndiaye volleys Everton level 1-1 with Man United
Idrissa Gana-Gueye’s cross finds Iliman Ndiaye perfectly, who volleys it into the net to bring the Summer Series match between Everton and Manchester United level at 1-1.
Mbeumo nearly makes his mark
Fernandes swerves a hard low shot that Pickford parries and Mbeumo sees a pair of bids at the spoils blocked from reaching the goal.
Still 1-0, 29′.
Bruno Fernandes penalty goal — Man United 1-0 Everton
A hop, skip, and a finish that sends Jordan Pickford the wrong way.
Fernandes’ penalty puts Man United up 1-0
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes opened up the scoring in Atlanta, drilling a penalty kick to put the Red Devils up 1-0 over Everton during the Premier League Summer Series.
Man United penalty
Amad Diallo uses a tug to get past James Tarkowski, who puts a hand into the off-balance United man’s chest.
It looks like a penalty and it is.
Beto rounds Bayindir!
Beto’s run is just a bit too early, as Matthijs de Ligt has let the Toffees forward offside for a nice touch around Altay Bayindir and a finish from a tight angle.
Cunha close!
Slick play from Man United, as Bruno Fernandes hits an inch-perfect through ball to Amad Diallo, who is driving down the right.
Diallo slips it to Matheus Cunha, who is at an odd angle and has to sneak a ball by Jordan Pickford. It’s too big an ask, and rolls past the far post.
0-0, 5′.
Underway
Man United in red, Everton in blue.
Great color combo.
Bryan Mbeumo debut
A start for Bryan Mbeumo, and we’ll get our first look at the Cameroonian as part of a three-pronged attack which includes Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes.
Manchester United lineup
Bayindir, Dalot, De Ligt, Yoro, Shaw, Diallo, Ugarte, Mainoo, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo
Everton lineup
Pickford, O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Iroegbunam, Gana Gueye, Garner, Alcaraz, Ndiaye, Beto
Manchester United vs Everton preview
The Red Devils have beaten West Ham and Bournemouth, while the Toffees have lost to those same two opponents over two days in New Jersey and Chicago.
Ruben Amorim’s men impressed against the Irons then built a four-goal lead over the Cherries, and will likely finish atop the Summer Series table unless they’re blown out by Everton after the Bournemouth vs West Ham ends in a one-sided way.
But it’s going to be all about performance for Amorim, whose charges have looked lively and committed in a manner more befitting Man United than most previous seasons.
Meanwhile, old Man Utd boss David Moyes brought a low-numbers, shallow team to the United States and they’ve resembled those statements. He’ll hope for a brighter result on Sunday.
Everton finish the preseason a friendly with AS Roma on Saturday at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Manchester United team news, focus
Bryan Mbeumo may make his Manchester United debut in the Summer Series, but who knows for how long as Amorim has been using the full allotment of subs over the first two matches. Rasmus Hojlund, Bruno Fernandes, and Amad Diallo have had impressive weeks in the United States.
Everton team news, focus
The Toffees have rotated a bit at this tournament, including in goal where Jordan Pickford and Mark Travers split the first two games. Thierno Barry has come off the bench both games, while Michael Keane and James Tarkowski played a bit in the second game to give the side’s beleaguered back line some respite.
Manchester United vs Everton prediction
It’s preseason so let’s just make this as preseason as possible — Everton to nick a point in a low-scoring affair. Manchester United 1-1 Everton.