Manchester United Wins Pre-Season Friendly Against Atletico Madrid
Manchester United continued their pre-season tour of Scandinavia with a 2-1 comeback win over fellow European heavyweights Atletico Madrid in Stockholm. League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 3rd in Premier League, 71 pts, 20W-11D-7L from 38 games, recent form WWDWW. The win kicks off a run of exciting friendlies for Michael Carrick's side, who will also face Paris Saint-Germain, fierce rivals Leeds and AC Milan.
What happened?
Manchester United came from behind to win the pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid. Arnau Ortiz put Atletico in front in the opening five minutes, but United were the better side from then on. Youngster Shea Lacey won a penalty as he was brought down in the box, which Bryan Mbeumo coolly converted. The Cameroon striker doubled his and United's advantage as he turned home a deflected cross by Jack Fletcher.
Why it matters for Manchester United
The win is a boost for Michael Carrick's side ahead of the new season. The team will face a tough run of friendlies, including matches against Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds and AC Milan. The likes of £35m summer signing Youri Tielemans and first-choice keeper Senne Lammens are expected to return for those clashes.
What comes next?
Manchester United will face Paris Saint-Germain in their next friendly on August 8 in Gothenburg. The team will then face Leeds on August 12 in Dublin and AC Milan on August 15 in Wroclaw. The Premier League curtain-raiser will take place on August 22 at Hull City.
FULL-TIME: Man Utd 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Some good performances from the United youngsters, with Jack Fletcher contributing to Mbeumo's second goal and JJ Gabriel making his first senior appearance. Luke Shaw joshes Shea Lacey and has his arm around 15-year-old Gabriel as they celebrate lifting the Snapdragon Cup.
