Manchester United Close U.S. Tour with 2-2 Draw Against Everton

Manchester United wrapped up their summer tour of the United States with a 2-2 draw against Everton at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, finishing the Premier League Summer Series unbeaten with two wins and a draw.

David Moyes’ Everton twice came from behind to deny United a perfect record after victories over West Ham United in New Jersey and Bournemouth in Chicago. Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring with a penalty, while Mason Mount added United’s second. Iliman Ndiaye netted Everton’s first equalizer, and a late own goal by Ayden Heaven ensured the points were shared.

Despite the result, United head coach Ruben Amorim can take encouragement from his team’s form in America. They now return to Old Trafford for one final pre-season friendly against Fiorentina before the Premier League campaign kicks off against Arsenal on August 17.

Amorim handed a debut to new signing Bryan Mbeumo, who started the first half in a front three alongside fellow summer arrival Matheus Cunha. Meanwhile, Everton arrived in Atlanta still searching for form after losses to Bournemouth and West Ham earlier in the tour.

David Moyes, who has expressed the need for “nine or 10” new signings before the transfer window closes, saw his team start brightly. Everton could have gone ahead inside 10 minutes when Altay Bayindir, deputizing for the injured André Onana, mishandled a James Garner free kick. Jake O’Brien then struck the post from close range in a glaring miss.

Everton had the ball in the net when Beto rounded Bayindir, only to be flagged offside. But it was United who struck first in the 18th minute after James Tarkowski was adjudged to have pulled back Amad Diallo in the box. Bruno Fernandes converted the penalty, despite Tarkowski’s protests over what appeared to be a soft decision.

Everton found more attacking success than United’s previous tour opponents and leveled five minutes before halftime. Manuel Ugarte was dispossessed on the edge of the area, and Idrissa Gueye delivered a superb cross that Ndiaye tucked in at the far post.

Mason Mount looked to have won it with a curling finish following a slick exchange with Fernandes, but Everton responded with a second equalizer in bizarre fashion. Amad’s attempted clearance deflected off Ayden Heaven and trickled into the corner of the net.

West Ham Secure Second Place with 2-0 Win Over Bournemouth

Elsewhere, West Ham defeated Bournemouth 2-0 in Atlanta to clinch second place in the Premier League Summer Series.

Niclas Füllkrug scored his second goal of the tournament, following up his winner against Everton, with a close-range finish after a composed setup from Jarrod Bowen, who was teed up by a precise cross from summer signing El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Diouf provided another excellent delivery for the second goal, this time assisting Bowen, who guided a low shot into the far corner past Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.

Bournemouth started the game strongly as they looked to recover from their 4-1 defeat to Manchester United. However, they squandered an early chance when Evanilson struck the inside of the post with the goal wide open. Illia Zabarnyi was later denied by the crossbar with a free header.

After Bowen’s breakaway goal sealed West Ham’s win, the result left them on six points from three games one behind Manchester United, who topped the table with seven after their draw against Everton.