United have ended their pre-season campaign in style, with a first half flurry seeing off an admittedly average Everton side at Old Trafford.
It is widely believed that the starting side from yesterday afternoon is a viable option for the eleven that could be fielded against Leeds next Saturday. De Gea is the obvious choice between the sticks given the Coronavirus and injury issues Henderson has endured lately, whilst yesterday's back four (which was a relative mainstay last season: Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw) will likely be deployed given Varane's lack of preparation time due to quarantine. Matic has had an impressive pre-season acting as the midfield anchor, starting again yesterday alongside Van de Beek - who adopted the more progressive midfield role. Fernandes returned to the fold after a heavily-scrutinised Euros campaign, with James and Greenwood already well-prepared on the flanks. Martial made his return after a lengthy absence since March, leading the line for the reds. With Cavani and Sancho still not training until Monday and Rashford sidelined, attacking options are very much confined to yesterday's starters.
To the action, and it was a lively start from United. Given the number of returnees in the starting eleven, the intensity was very high - as was the all-round quality. Matic offered a steady presence in the midfield, which quickly appeared to aid shifting the formation from a 4231 to a variation of the 433. With the Serb dropping deeper, Van de Beek was given the freedom to roam and support the attack; the fullbacks were also licensed to push given Matic was essentially creating a back three in transition. Ultimately, there was a clear fluidity that resulted in some very slick passages in the early exchanges (which were really sustained throughout). The approach was a positive one, and very forward thinking by way of plenty of movement and passes into promising areas.
United were rewarded for their commitment of men forward from the off, putting Everton under immense amounts of pressure to gain an early advantage. Though, it must be said, the lead was rather gifted. Matic's surging ball was somewhat misjudged by Greenwood initially, finding its way into Lucas Digne's path for a routine header back to Jordan Pickford. However, routine it very much proved not to be. It was poor judgement from the Everton pair, with the Euros Golden Glove winner spilling the bouncing ball which was released into Greenwood's path. The lively youngster made no mistake, slotting opportunistically into the empty net - it was undoubtedly reward for his persistent endeavour.
The flow of confident, attacking passages from those in red shirts was only prolonged after the opener. The pressure was maintained, with Fernandes' effort from range instantly forcing another Pickford blunder that almost led to Martial making it two. Errors were surprisingly infrequent from United given the number of players without recent playing time, with a high standard preserved. Everton were allowed very little joy.
United's second goal required little waiting for, coming consequent of another driving forward move that resulted in James winning a corner with his threatening pace. Maguire met Shaw's wicked delivery, producing a thunderbolt of a header after wriggling free inside the box; their outstanding partnership - that was accentuated during the Euros - is showing no early signs of diminishing.
United remained firm defensively on the rare occasions that Everton threatened, with The Toffees' best opportunity squandered by Alex Iwobi as he found himself unmarked at the back post. Meanwhile, the hosts continued to push onto Everton with more thoroughly organised buildup - making it three via an excellent freekick before the half hour mark after Matic was fouled near the edge of the box. The move was started by an exquisite pass through the lines by Maguire, with movement both on and off the ball troubling Everton in the buildup to the freekick. Following an electric return to the side, Fernandes stepped up to take the kick and made no mistake - producing a marvellous dipping effort to beat both the wall and Pickford. Old Trafford erupted, as Bruno added to an impressive repertoire of United pre-season goals this summer.
Overall, the first half was utter domination over - actually - quite a strong Everton outfit.
As anticipated, changes were made at halftime. Martial made way after his first involvement in near enough five months, with Greenwood switching to the centre forward role as Mata was introduced on the right. The potential starting midfield pair for the Leeds game of Matic and Van de Beek were also withdrawn at the break after a great showing in the opneing period, replaced by the returning duo of Fred and Pogba following their respective international exploits.
The United rhythm was inevitably disrupted by the alterations, with the overall tempo slightly flatter from the get-go in the second half. In conjunction with this, Everton grew slightly more dangerous - with Andros Townsend striking the bar from close proximity early in proceedings.
Soon enough, a second round of United changes came. Tuanzebe, who is now embarking on a season-long loan back at Aston Villa after having signed a new two-year deal with United, replaced Lindelof; Dalot and Williams came on for the two starting fullbacks, whilst Fernandes made way for Pereira. As anticipated, the home side did grow slightly more disjointed with the further switches. Everton continued to marginally grow, with Demarai Gray missing a golden chance with the net gaping as Iwobi fired the ball across the face of goal.
McTominay made his return midway through the half, coming on along with Garner - Maguire and James were the last to be withdrawn. As he has done for Scotland, the latter of the two introduced slotted in at centre back. In the meantime, Garner joined Fred and Pereira in midfield as Pogba shifted to the vacancy on left hand side.
The flow certainly petered out after the emphatic first half, especially as more of the first team regulars made way. Everton did brighten up but were still off the pace, not troubling United to anywhere near a great enough extent. A further goal didn't look likely for the hosts in the second half, but one did come in injury time. Fred's lofted ball was met by Dalot's head, the substitute guiding the ball over Asmir Begovic to cap off a brilliant cameo performance.
Four goals, and a genuinely impressive showing - especially in the opening forty-five. Overall, it was the perfect manner in which to conclude pre-season. Leeds, we're ready...
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