Manchester United vs. Everton on August 3, 2025, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium was meant to be just another preseason tune-up. You know the drill—get the legs moving, try out some tactics, avoid injuries. But what we got? Pure chaos. Drama. A 2-2 draw that had fans screaming at their screens and wondering what the Premier League’s gonna look like this season.

Honestly, if you missed it… I kinda feel bad for you.

This Ain’t Just Another Friendly

Man United vs. Everton never feels “friendly,” even when it’s not the real thing. There’s history. There’s spice. And even though United have usually had the better of it—43 wins in 67 meetings since ’95, plus an unbeaten run in their last seven—it never feels easy. Everton, bless them, always turn it into a scrap.

Both teams are coming off a rough 2024/25 campaign. United finished 14th (yikes), and Everton somehow ended up in 9th despite half the season looking like a relegation fight. So yeah, both sides had something to prove in this one—and they played like it.

First Half: Everton Came to Play

Right from kickoff, Everton looked sharp. Like, really sharp. High press, quick passes, and Iliman Ndiaye just deciding to wreck United’s midfield for fun. His goal? Clean. Everton looked like they wanted it more.

United, on the other hand, looked half-asleep. Sloppy passes, no rhythm. If not for Bruno Fernandes, they might’ve been buried before halftime. And then came the “penalty”…

Let’s not sugarcoat it. It was soft—real soft. Bruno stepped up and did what he does: calm finish, 1-1. Everton fans would’ve been fuming. They’d bossed most of the half and still went into the break level.

Second Half Madness

Credit to Everton—they didn’t drop off right away. Came out swinging again, got their second goal, and looked like they were gonna take it. But United… they’re annoying like that. Even when they’re bad, they somehow stay in games.

Cue the equalizer—a brutal own goal by Everton. Just one of those clumsy moments that makes you want to scream into a pillow. Game ends 2-2. Everton played the better football, but United walked away smirking.

The numbers? Pretty wild. United had 62% possession, but only three shots on target. Everton? Eight. They looked hungrier. More aggressive. But football’s cruel like that sometimes.

Standout Players? Oh, There Were a Few

Bruno Fernandes, man. Love him or hate him, he delivers. That penalty? Ice cold. And when United were wobbling, he was the only one trying to knit things together.

Manuel Ugarte also popped up with a big goal late on—he’s quietly becoming one of those “oh damn, he’s everywhere” kind of midfielders. Matheus Cunha looked lively in flashes, and Garnacho—love the kid’s energy, but he’s gotta start finishing his chances. You could feel Amorim on the sidelines losing hair by the second.

For Everton? Ndiaye was pure chaos (in the best way), and Beto? An absolute menace. He bullied United’s back line like it was a personal mission. If they can stay fit, Dyche has got something interesting cooking.

Still… that own goal’s gonna haunt them.

Bigger Picture: What Did We Learn?

For United, the unbeaten streak vs. Everton continues—not that it means much in preseason. But they showed fight, and under Ruben Amorim, there’s a bit of steel forming. That said… relying on penalties and own goals isn’t a game plan. The attack still looks disjointed. They’ve got Fiorentina coming up and bigger tests waiting. Some stuff’s clicking. Some isn’t.

Everton fans have every right to feel both proud and annoyed. That first-half performance was statement stuff. They just couldn’t keep it going. But hey, if they can play like that against United, they can cause serious problems this season—if they tighten up at the back. Dyche will be drilling that into them all week.

So… What Now?

Look, was it perfect football? No. Was it clean and clinical? Not even close. But was it fun? Absolutely.

This match wasn’t just a runaround—it was a vibe check. It showed us that United, for all their chaos, don’t go quietly. And that Everton? They’re not just surviving—they’re trying to do something.

We’ve got two weeks until the season kicks off. If this game’s anything to go by, we’re in for absolute madness.