Man Utd draw 1-1 with Everton in secret friendly as they finally stop mid-season break rot before Premier League return

MANCHESTER UNITED drew 1-1 with Everton in a secret mid-season friendly on Wednesday as they prepare for domestic action to resume.

The Red Devils‘ first competitive match back after the World Cup break is a Carabao Cup clash with Burnley at Old Trafford on December 21.

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Man Utd are preparing to resume their season after the World Cup[/caption]

Six days later, Erik ten Hag‘s men then return to Premier League football with a home game against Nottingham Forest.

Man Utd supporters would have been slightly concerned about their side’s form following back-to-back losses to Cadiz and Real Betis last week.

But they did avoid defeat against Everton at Carrington as they earned themselves a score draw.

No details about the game – which was played behind closed doors – have been released by either club.

And no TV crews were in attendance, so the result is all supporters have to go on.

Man Utd will resume their season in fifth place in the Premier League table, three points behind Tottenham in fourth.

And they will be without Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time since the beginning of last season.

The Portuguese superstar, 37, had his contract ripped up following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan.

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His departure is set to leave Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial vying for the centre forward position.

Rashford scored eight goals in 19 games for United before the World Cup.

He then went to Qatar and netted three times for England, before Gareth Southgate’s men were eliminated in the quarter-finals by France.

United will have a World Cup winner returning from the Middle East, regardless of whether Argentina or France triumph on Sunday.

Raphael Varane has been at the heart of France’s defence, while Lisandro Martinez has started two of Argentina’s six games at the tournament.