Manchester United 0-0 EvertonEverton and Manchester United played out a stalemate at Old Trafford as Wayne Rooney’s testimonial fixture ended in a goalless draw.The two sides could not be separated on a night dedicated to the distinguished career of the Blues Academy graduate.
Belgian duo Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas went closest for Everton either side of half-time with both seeing chances narrowly miss the target.
Twenty-one Everton players got more pre-season minutes under their belts in what was the fifth warm-up match of the summer.
The only real disappointment to emerge from the evening was an injury to Muhamed Besic, who limped off just minutes after entering the fray as a second-half substitute.
With the Premier League big kick-off just 10 days away, Ronald Koeman went strong with his starting line-up. In amongst the experienced heads was Mason Holgate, taking his place on the right side of a back-three, with Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman pushing forward in the wide areas.
Maarten Stekelenburg returned in goal but there wasn’t a place in the squad for the second summer signing, Idrissa Gueye, who had joined from Aston Villa a day earlier.
In the immediate moments prior to kick-off, the two sides formed a guard of honour for man of the evening Rooney, who appeared on the pitch alongside his three sons to a warm reception from both the home and away supporters.
Chances were few and far between in the opening quarter with the pace of the game played at that typically associated with a testimonial. Manchester United saw more of the ball but the only effort of note was a Romelu Lukaku long-range effort, comfortably saved by David de Gea.
It took until the 25th minute for Manchester United to create their first opening. The home fans were getting a first glimpse of their new recruit Zlatan Ibramhimovic and when he got in behind the Toffees’ defence, Stekelenburg parried away the Swede’s shot from a tight angle.
Ross Barkley fizzed a shot inches past the post as the pace cranked up a notch as the interval approached. In fact, there were more goalscoring opportunities in the final five minutes of the first half than there had been in the previous 40.
Luke Shaw saw a left-foot drive deflect just past the post before Stekelenburg denied Ibrahmiovic for a second time moments later.
The best chance of the opening period, however, went the way of Lukaku whose header from Seamus Coleman’s cross was guided inches wide.
Manager Koeman made two alterations to the team at the break; Joel Robles came on for Stekelenburg and Gerard Deulofeu was replaced by Kevin Mirallas.
The Belgian was involved straight away, firing into the side-netting from 10 yards out as Everton began the second half on the front foot.
Rooney then left the action to a standing ovation seven minutes after the restart, adding the to the six substitutions Reds boss Jose Mourinho had made at the break.
The 65th minute saw a procession of changes for the Toffees as Besic, Arouna Kone, Darron Gibson, Tom Cleverley, Bryan Oviedo and Aaron Lennon made their introductions. There was also a tactical reshuffle as the visitors returned to the more customary four in defence.
Unfortunately, Besic’s appearance was brief as a knock to his knee in a challenge involving Morgan Schneiderlin forced him off prematurely, with Tom Davies taking his place.
Ramiro Funes Mori headed over the bar in the closing stages but there was to be no winning goal.
Next up for Everton is the final dress rehearsal against Espanyol at Goodison Park on Saturday - exactly a week before the home Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur.