Manchester United enjoy home comforts but Everton get a warning

Covid remains a dangerous disruption, however, and Jesse Lingard was absent having been forced to isolate after a positive test. Worryingly, goalkeeper Dean Henderson is struggling with his recovery from Covid-19 several weeks after contracting the virus.

Manchester United's Paul Pogba and Everton's Tom Davies battle for the ball during the pre-season friendly match at Old Trafford.

Pre-season: Man Utd 4 Everton 0

Manchester United’s commercial department will disagree, but the benefits of not traipsing around the globe in pre-season are paying dividends for Ole Gunnar Solskjær. The United manager is under no illusions he must deliver this season and, on the evidence of a comfortable 4-0 friendly stroll against Everton, his squad is well-prepared for the considerable challenge of closing the gap on Manchester City.