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Manchester United claim second preseason win with victory over Atletico Madrid
01st August, 2026 07:16 PM
Manchester United battled from a goal down to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 and claim the Snapdragon Cup in a preseason encounter in Stockholm, Sweden, on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
Michael Carrick’s team needed a brace from Bryan Mbeumo to see off the Rojiblancos in a clash that saw both teams feature just a handful of first-team players.
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Ivorian winger Amad Diallo was involved for the first time in pre-season, after returning to training at Carrington. The winger was among the two changes from the clash against Rosenborg, joining the frontline as keeper Tom Heaton also started.
Shea Lacey was among the youngsters handed a starting berth alongside Andre Santos and Bryan Mbeumo.
Atlético Madrid took an early lead, scoring in the fifth minute when Arnau Ortiz’s cross from a short corner found its way into Tom Heaton’s net without a touch.
The action was the highlight of an opening 45 minutes that did not have plenty of action as both teams sized each other up. Luke Shaw had the other best chance for the Red Devils when he picked up a Mason Mount pass but was kept out by a save from goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Diego Simeone made several changes at the break, bringing on players like Santiago Giménez, Mendoza, and the newly signed Norwegian Hjulmand.
Nonetheless, it was Carrick’s team who dictated the half after replacing Amad with Jack Fletcher.
Lacey showed remarkable footwork to break beyond Jorge Castillo and earned United a penalty that Mbeumo converted eight minutes after the restart. He sent substitute goalkeeper Salvi Esquivel the wrong way to level the game in the 53rd minute.
The Cameroonian was at it again, pouncing from substitute Fletcher’s low-driven cross from the right to score from close range.
The win extended the United-Fine start in preseason, making it two wins from three games in pre-season as the Reds lifted the Snapdragon Cup for the third time in four years.
United will also draw inspiration from beating Diego Simeone’s side, who handed Getafe a 4-1 thrashing in their first preseason encounter last Wednesday, July
29, 2026.
Man United Starting X1: Heaton; Yoro, Maguire (Armer 73), Heaven, Shaw (Harry Amass 73); Santos (Thwaites 82), Mount; Amad (Jack Fletcher 45), Lacey (Zirkzee 73), Dorgu (Williams 73); Mbeumo (Gabriel 82).
Subs not used: Bayindir, Mee, Vitek, Kamason, T. Fletcher.
Atlético Starting X1: Oblak (Esquivel 46), Domínguez (Bonar 62), Le Normand (Giménez 46), Hancko (Martínez 62), Ruggeri (Hueso 62), Koke (Hjulmand 46), Vargas (Mendoza 46), Castillo (Luque 62), Ortiz (Esteban 62), Carlos Martín (Lemar 62), Lookman (Arnau Sola 62)
Subs not used: Puric, Cubo, Dani Rubio.
