Man Utd 2-1 Atletico Madrid: Bryan Mbeumo scores twice as United come from behind to win Snapdragon Cup
Match report as Manchester United continued their pre-season with victory in the Snapdragon Cup as Atletico Madrid were beaten 2-1 in Stockholm. Bryan Mbeumo scored two before 15-year-old wonderkid JJ Gabriel came on for his senior debut
Saturday 1 August 2026 18:05, UK
Bryan Mbeumo scored twice as Manchester United came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in Stockholm.
Arnau Ortiz's cross-shot crept in at Tom Heaton's far post inside five minutes but Michael Carrick's team dominated the rest of the first half before scoring twice in the second through Mbeumo to defeat the Spanish side and lift the Snapdragon Cup.
The Cameroon striker's first came from the penalty spot after Shea Lacey was tripped. His second came after fine work by Jack Fletcher in winning the ball back on the right. Morten Hjulmand hit the post late on but United saw out a deserved victory.
The key moments from Stockholm
5 - GOAL! Arnau Ortiz's cross-shot beats Tom Heaton at the far post
10 - SAVE! Luke Shaw's rocket of a volley is pushed over by Jan Oblak
16 - SAVE! Amad Diallo's low free-kick is deflected but Oblak keeps it out
29 - WIDE! Mbeumo heads Lacey's fine cross wide of the far post
53 - GOAL! Mbeumo converts from the spot after Lacey is tripped
74 - GOAL! Jack Fletcher wins the ball back and Mbeumo scores
82 - SUB! JJ Gabriel comes on for his senior debut aged just 15
83 - POST! Morten Hjulmand hits the foot of the post with Heaton beaten
United players impress in Sweden
The performance was arguably better than the result for United with some really encouraging signs for Carrick. Mbeumo's goals were assisted by academy players, with Lacey looking particularly sharp whether operating centrally and out on the right wing.
But the best performances against Atletico came from Leny Yoro playing at right-back, who completely shut down Ademola Lookman, and the two midfield players. Andrey Santos was composed again, while Mason Mount was the best player on the pitch.
Mount was composure personified in a deeper role and will be encouraged that he can fight for his place in a number of positions in Carrick's system - particularly given that Champions League commitments will necessitate a bigger squad for this campaign.
Andrey Santos was far from showy alongside Mount but impeccable in his work as he continues to build on a promising pre-season following his arrival from Chelsea. The Brazilian has mobility and while his passing is simple, he looks forward when he can.
There are World Cup players to integrate into this squad, new signings among them, so there are dangers in reading too much into pre-season fixtures. But this was another positive outing against a strong side. Carrick will have liked a lot of what he witnessed.
What's next for Man Utd?
- August 8: Man Utd vs PSG - Gothenburg, 4pm
- August 12: Man Utd vs Leeds - Dublin, 7.30pm
- August 15: Man Utd vs AC Milan - Wroclaw, 3.45pm
- August 22: Hull City vs Man Utd - Premier League - MKM Stadium, 12.30pm
