Three days after the match in Mallorca, the Parisians continued their preparations for the new season with a high-profile fixture against Manchester United, who have qualified for next season's Champions League, in Gothenburg, Sweden.
In a packed stadium, the Rouge et Bleu wore their 2026–2027 home shirt against the Red Devils, who were in their traditional colours. The starting XI was similar to the one fielded on Wednesday, with Pacho returning to the line-up, Ayari starting up front and Mayulu continuing as captain. On the bench were the World Cup players who have recently returned to training.
Although he was unlucky early on in the match against Mallorca, hitting the bar in the opening moments, Mbaye found the net quickly this time, following a clinical move. Kvara played Dro in on the right, whose pinpoint cross found the Senegalese international, who didn’t hesitate to open the scoring with a side-foot finish in front of the goalkeeper (1–0, 2'). Luis Enrique’s men were well organised, with the English side trying to respond but leaving themselves exposed to counter-attacks, such as when Dro broke clear and played in Mbaye, whose attempt was blocked at the last moment. Kvara went down after a reckless tackle by Heaven, who was shown a yellow card (16').
Safonov then had his chance to shine when he saved a free-kick from Mbeumo, taken from 20 metres out and perfectly placed. The Parisian goalkeeper leapt high to tip the ball away, keeping his side in the lead (20'). He asserted himself once more, commanding his penalty area to deal with a cross from Dorgu on the left. Matvey leapt high to block the cross (27'), but he was eventually beaten by Mbeumo, who fired a shot across goal from inside the penalty area following a pass from Diallo (1–1, 32').
The United forward never missed an opportunity to pose a threat, and he curled a fine free-kick from 27 metres, but Safonov brilliantly tipped the ball away for a corner (38').
Safonov was also called into action early in the second half, producing another superb save from Mbeumo, who was undoubtedly the Red Devils’ most dangerous player on the day (54'). Ndjantou, who had come on a little earlier, responded in turn with a powerful shot that whistled over the bar (60'). Luis Enrique then decided to bring on a few World Cup players, the Portuguese trio (Mendes, Neves and Viti) and Marquinhos, who reclaimed the captain’s armband as he replaced Pacho (61').
The Parisian captain tackled brilliantly in front of Fletcher as he tried to set up Zirkzee in the box during a quick counter-attack (80').
The score remained unchanged with the game ending in a draw, and Paris concluded their pre-season preparations with a match that went well in a variety of ways.
Now it’s time for competitive action: the Rouge et Bleu will face another English side, Aston Villa, in four days’ time in the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg, before taking on Lens on Sunday 16 August at the Bollaert for the Trophée des Champions. 2026–2027, here we come!
