After a decent showing last time out against Atletico Madrid, another European elite awaited in the next pre-season clash as the squad begins to return to action post World Cup, as reigning double Champions League winners PSG proved to be another tough test for Carrick’s blend of youth and experience as more minutes are gained in fixtures where United can challenge themselves against the very best.

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Teams

Manchester United: Heaton (Mee 49′), Shaw (Amass 64′), Heaven (Yoro 46′), Maguire, Mazraoui (Dalot 46′), Santos (Fernandes 64′), Mount (Fletcher 20′), Dorgu (Fletcher 64′), Lacey, Amad (Tielemans 64′), Mbeumo (Zirkzee 64′)

Subs: Heath, Armer

PSG: Safonov (Longoni 77′), Koukaba (Marquinhos 61′), Pacho (Mendes 61′), Zabarnyi, Boly, Dro (Neves 61′), Beraldo, Mayulu (Vitinha 61′), Kvaratskhelia, Ayari (Ndjantou 46′), Mbaye

Subs: Chevalier, Fanne-Drame, Lucea, Bourdin, El Nay, Idder, Meite

Manchester United 1-1 PSG

Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Paris Saint-Germain in an entertaining pre-season meeting at Gothenburg’s Ullevi Stadium on Saturday, but Michael Carrick will have plenty of encouragement to take from a competitive outing against the reigning European champions. United were rocked inside two minutes when Ibrahim Mbaye finished at the back post from Dro Fernandez’s low cross, punishing a moment of hesitation in the United defence. Rather than allowing the early setback to unsettle them, however, United gradually found their rhythm, with Amad Diallo proving a lively threat down the right and offering the kind of direct running that repeatedly troubled PSG.

The equaliser arrived in the 32nd minute and was richly deserved. Amad’s persistence created the opening, allowing Bryan Mbeumo to take aim and arrow a composed finish into the corner to make it three goals in two pre-season matches for the summer signing. United continued to look dangerous thereafter, while the return of key players from their post-World Cup breaks added further quality as the game progressed. Bruno Fernandes was introduced from the bench, as was new signing Youri Tielemans, who made his United debut, and the visitors increasingly looked capable of finding a winner. PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, though, produced several important interventions to keep his side level.

United finished the stronger of the two sides and had late opportunities to snatch victory, with Fernandes going close. The result ultimately remained 1-1, a fair reflection of an open contest that nevertheless offered United plenty of positives as Carrick continues to shape his side ahead of the new campaign. The main concern was the fitness of Mason Mount and goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who both went off with injuries, but the overall performance suggested United are building promising momentum. Against a PSG side preparing for another season among Europe’s elite, a draw was a useful examination, and one in which Mbeumo, Amad and several of United’s returning players left a particularly encouraging impression.