Bryan Mbeumo scored a brace as Manchester United came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in Stockholm.
The Red Devils had won one and lost one of their two previous friendly meetings before heading to Sweden, where they faced what was comfortably their most difficult match of the summer so far. They started on the back foot, but Mbeumo’s second-half double ensured they took the spoils - and the coveted Snapdragon Cup.
Michael Carrick named a strong side at the Strawberry Arena which may no tbe too dissimilar from that which will start against Hull City in the Premier League later this month. Most notably, Amad Diallo came in for Joshua Zirkzee up top, while the midfield pairing of Mason Mount and Andrey Santos continued to impress. There was no Youri Tielemans, who has reported for pre-season but is not yet considered match fit and was left at home.
It was a hugely frustrating first half for United, with Arnau Ortiz inadvertently opening the scoring in the fifth minute as his whipped cross went unmolested and snuck in at the back post, leaving Tom Heaton and Harry Maguire exchanging confused glances in the six-yard box.
From then on it was largely one-way traffic, but despite a wealth of chances United could not get back on level terms. Patrick Dorgu had his marker, the young Jorge Dominguez, on toast but could not make the most of the territory he found. Ayden Heaven, Leny Yoro and Mbeumo all missed the mark with headers.
Luke Shaw went closest as he latched onto Shea Lacey’s cross, stinging Jan Oblak’s palms with a venomous volley. Heaton was called back into action late in the half, though, as he made an unconvincing stop to deny Ortiz his brace and keep the deficit at one come half-time.
They were back on level terms early in the second period, though, as Lacey was tripped in the box and Mbeumo duly converted from the spot. Lacey very nearly got on the scoresheet himself shortly after, dancing into the box before drawing a save from Sami Esquivel.
Chances from there on out were few and far between as the match descended into the pedestrian pace so often seen in friendlies. The atmosphere at the Straberry Arena was suitably flat.
United only needed one moment, though, and it came as Jack Fletcher zipped down the right flank before teeing up Mbeumo for his second of the afternoon, securing the lead with a quarter of an hour left to be played. There was one more good reason for the Swedish United fans to get to their feet shortly after as JJ Gabriel replaced the goalscorer to make his senior debut.
Atletico had one more late chance to get back on level terms but were cruelly denied by both posts as Morten Hjulmand hit one and Rodrigo Mendoza headed onto the other, but ultimately United took the spoils.
They return to friendly action in a week’s time, facing Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg.
