Bryan Mbeumo scored twice as Manchester United came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm, winning the Snapdragon Cup in front of 21,000 fans.
Michael Carrick's side fell behind in the fifth minute when a cross from Arnau Ortiz crept inside goalkeeper Tom Heaton's left-hand post. United were unlucky to still be trailing at half-time after Jan Oblak saved from Luke Shaw and Amad Diallo, who was making his first appearance since playing for Ivory Coast at the World Cup.
Mbeumo leveled from the penalty spot shortly after the restart when Shea Lacey was fouled, sending replacement goalkeeper Salvi Esquivel the wrong way. Jack Fletcher, another of United's academy prospects, then set up Mbeumo for the winner in the 74th minute after intercepting a loose pass and crossing for the Cameroonian to beat Esquivel to the ball.
It was United's third pre-season game, following a 5-0 win over Rosenborg the previous week.
Mbeumo shows striker credentials
With Benjamin Sesko yet to feature in pre-season while recovering from a shin injury, and Joshua Zirkzee's future at the club uncertain, Mbeumo demonstrated he can operate through the middle. The former Brentford player scored 12 times in his debut United season, including in Carrick's opening two games against Manchester City and Arsenal.
I think obviously I have the luck to be able to play both positions, but I can't really choose. Obviously I've done great things on the right wing, but some good things as a striker as well. So I think I'm more experienced on the wing, but I enjoy playing as striker. It's always really good to score for the fans and for the team, but really good to give an assist as well.
Lacey continues to impress
Lacey started again after his goal in the win over Rosenborg, playing in the No10 role before moving to the right flank when Fletcher replaced Diallo at half-time, United's only change of the interval. The 19-year-old's movement caused problems for Atletico throughout, and his first-half cross was narrowly headed wide by Mbeumo.
Lacey's flick past Jorge Castillo won the penalty that led to Mbeumo's equalizer. A former boxer before turning to football, Lacey also produced a strong challenge on Ortiz before half-time. Along with the Fletcher twins, he is expected to remain part of the first-team squad for the remaining pre-season fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds and AC Milan.
Bayindir left out as Celta Vigo talks continue
Altay Bayindir was left on the bench in Stockholm, with sources confirming the club are in talks over a loan move to Celta Vigo. It was the first time he had been named in Carrick's squad this pre-season after going to the World Cup with Turkey, but third-choice Heaton played the full match.
Heaton was caught out by Ortiz's cross for Atletico's opener but recovered to save from Ortiz, Sola and Iker Luque. United also had a let-off late on when Rodrigo Mendoza and Morten Hjulmand both hit the woodwork in quick succession. Senne Lammens returned to Carrington this week after helping Belgium reach the World Cup quarter-finals, and new signing Karl Darlow is set to be his deputy once he recovers from a minor procedure.
Gabriel and Thwaites make their bow
JJ Gabriel and Jim Thwaites, both academy prospects, made their United debuts, coming on in the 82nd minute to replace Mbeumo and Andrey Santos. Gabriel, who does not turn 16 until October and has been dubbed Kid Messi, twisted past three defenders in the box in the 90th minute but had his shot blocked, then was fouled moments later on a second attempt.
Carrick said afterward that the senior players were looking strong and fit, and that the younger players were doing really well, adding that Gabriel and Thwaites had their first taste of it and that it was great to be in a position to give opportunities to the boys.
Mount and Yoro impress in altered roles
Mason Mount has formed an effective midfield partnership with £50million signing Santos in pre-season, with the Brazilian playing a defensive role while Mount, who has struggled with injuries since joining from Chelsea in 2023, has pushed forward. Mount wore the captain's armband in the second half against Rosenborg.
Lenny Yoro, playing at right-back with Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui both resting after the World Cup, again impressed against Atletico despite showing some naivety late on when Thomas Lemar's pass nearly set up an equalizer for Arnau Sola. Yoro said he was a centre-back and was only playing right-back because Dalot and Mazraoui were not yet back, adding that he preferred centre-back but would take any position he could play well, and that the coach had tried him at right-back and it was working out for him and the team. He also said Atletico were a really good team who pressed at the beginning, forcing United to adapt, which they did well.
Carrick praises squad spirit
Carrick made just one substitution at half-time before further changes from the 73rd minute, when Shaw, Harry Maguire, Lacey and Patrick Dorgu were replaced by Harry Amass, Dan Armer, Ethan Williams and Zirkzee, with Gabriel and Thwaites coming on late. Carrick said before the game that he would have five or six World Cup players back the following week to begin fitness work at Carrington, with some potentially featuring against Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg.
Carrick said it was a long season with challenges to overcome and that the team was trying to put things in place to take them the full distance. He said it was great to see the players getting on so well, describing the spirit and camaraderie as natural rather than forced, and said the players enjoyed each other's company and looked after each other, as they did again on the day.
