Mason Mount looked set to be the hero on a sizzling summer night in Atlanta, but a cruel own goal from youngster Amir Heaven handed Everton a dramatic 2–2 draw against Manchester United in a lively Premier League Summer Series showdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Before a buzzing American crowd, Bruno Fernandes struck early from the spot in the 19th minute, coolly converting a penalty to give United the upper hand. The lead, however, didn’t last. Iliman Ndiaye, fresh from a silky buildup with Idrissa Gueye, rifled home a classy equalizer in the 40th minute, leveling the score 1–1 just before halftime.
Rúben Amorim‘s Red Devils shuffled the deck at the break, injecting fresh legs like Pernille Dorgu, Mason Mount, Amir Heaven, and Harry Maguire. The changes paid off in the 69th minute when Mount latched onto a brilliant assist from Fernandes, driving home to restore United’s lead.
But just six minutes later, misfortune struck. A miscommunication at the back saw Heaven inadvertently turn the ball into his own net, gifting Everton a surprise equalizer that deflated the Red side of the stadium.
Mount nearly found a winner in the dying moments, while Ndiaye continued to torment United’s backline until his 84th-minute substitution. On Sean Dyche’s side, heavy rotation and the introduction of Armstrong, Chermiti, and Fredricson helped hold firm until the final whistle.
Though United dominated possession and showed flashes of brilliance, especially through Fernandes, the Toffees’ resilience earned them a deserved point.