Bryan Mbeumo scored twice to give Manchester United a pre-season friendly victory over Atletico Madrid at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm, with manager Michael Carrick pointing to collective strength and a clean injury bill as the main takeaways.
Mbeumo, speaking to MUTV after the final whistle, said the performance reflected the work done on the training ground. “We had a clear plan before the game; everyone stuck to it, and it made the game really enjoyable,” he said. “Obviously, we work really hard during training for these types of games, and the main goal is to be ready for the start of the season.”
The forward, who has featured both on the right wing and as a central striker this pre-season, said he was comfortable in either role. “I love to be able to play both positions; I can’t really choose. I’ve done great things on the right wing, but also as a striker. I’m more experienced on the wing, but I enjoy being a striker as well,” Mbeumo said. “It’s really good to score for the fans and the team. It’s a great feeling.”
Carrick satisfied with the signs
Carrick said the performance gave him plenty of encouragement, even if the pre-season context meant it fell short of polished. “There is a lot of good signs from us. It’s the stage it’s at; it’s never going to be exactly perfect, but there were a lot of positives,” he told MUTV. “The younger players did really well.”
The United manager stressed the importance of team spirit, describing the squad’s togetherness as genuine. “It’s not forced; it’s not fake; they enjoy each other’s company,” he said. He also highlighted the physical condition of his squad as a priority heading into the season. “No injuries. It’s a massive part of it. At the moment, the boys are in a good place.”
Asked whether he was enjoying the role, Carrick said he was. “We had six and a half weeks away from the players, which is a long time compared to what we are used to. We are enjoying working with this group, and we continue to push.”
Gabriel makes senior debut at 15
The game also marked the senior debut of 15-year-old JJ Gabriel. The teenager came on for a brief cameo and showed energy and a willingness to take on opponents, traits that drew comparisons to Max Dowman, who emerged last season.
Lacey impresses again
Winger Shea Lacey was another bright spot. He was described as top class, repeatedly beating his man and winning a penalty with his footwork. The performance continued a run of impressive pre-season displays for the winger.
Three games to go
The result also secured a pre-season tournament trophy for United in Stockholm. The club has three more warm-up fixtures before the competitive season begins: against PSG in Gothenburg on August 8, Leeds in Dublin on August 12, and AC Milan in Wroclaw on August 15.
