Manchester United 4-0 Everton: Bruno Fernandes scores stunning free-kick in pre-season rout at Old Trafford

Manchester United via Getty Images
Tom Doyle7 August 2021

Bruno Fernandes scored a fine free-kick as Manchester United thrashed Everton 4-0 at Old Trafford to step up their preparations for the new season.

Sunday’s pre-season friendly was a one-sided affair from the off, with United three goals up at half-time thanks to goals from Mason Greenwood, Harry Maguire, Fernandes and Diogo Dalot.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer named a strong starting lineup featuring David de Gea, Bruno Fernandes, Anthony Martial and his cyurrent first-choice back four, though Victor Lindelof’s starting role alongside Maguire will be under threat once Raphael Varane completes his transfer from Real Madrid.

Jadon Sancho, the £73million summer signing from Borussia Dortmund, was not in the squad, but fellow England team-mate Greenwood reminded everyone early on that he will not give up his first-team slot without a fight.

The teenager got United off the mark after capitalising on a defensive mix-up from Rafa Benitez’s Toffees after eight minutes: Jordan Pickford spilled a header back to him, and Greenwood pounced to finish into an empty net, much to the joy of the thousands of United fans in attendance.

Solskjaer’s Red Devils were two to the good seven minutes later as Harry Maguire rose unmarked to power home a header off a Luke Shaw corner.

Fernandes then made it three with a superb set-piece from 30 yards, bending the ball into the top right-hand corner of Pickford’s net 29 minutes in.

The damage was done within half an hour, but United still had time for a late fourth as Dalot scored in injury time.

Donny van de Beek started in midfield with Paul Pogba coming on as a substitute. The Dutchman has put on plenty of muscle in pre-season, and Pogba has been angling for a move to PSG - and Solskjaer has warned that the Frenchman will have to win a starting role back should he remain at Old Trafford this summer.

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