FIVE things to look out for in final Summer Series fixtures

Mbeumo and Cunha could link up for first time, while Fullkrug seeks another goal

The Premier League Summer Series draws to a close this Sunday in Atlanta, Georgia where Manchester United take on Everton after AFC Bournemouth face West Ham United earlier in the day.

A draw would be enough for Man Utd to lift the trophy, although if West Ham or Bournemouth win by a big margin in the earlier kick-off, Ruben Amorim’s side would be knocked off top spot with a defeat to Everton.

Here are five things to look out for in the final two fixtures.

Summer Series standings
Mbeumo and Cunha could play together for the first time

The biggest draw of all will be seeing Bryan Mbeumo in a Man Utd shirt for the very first time - and playing alongside Matheus Cunha, who missed the last match through fatigue.

Ruben Amorim has confirmed Mbeumo will feature against Everton in Atlanta, offering fans a first look at how United's new attacking signings might combine.

A lot of hope has been placed in Mbeumo and Cunha transforming the fortunes of a stuttering attack, but with just one more friendly after Sunday (against Fiorentina at Old Trafford on 9 August), Amorim is running out of time to build a relationship between his two new signings before the campaign begins.

Both players are behind their team-mates in terms of match fitness, hence why we haven’t yet seen them together. But the only way to build that fitness is to have time on the pitch.

Sunday's match is the first real chance to see Amorim's new-look front line in action. 

Everton’s low block is new challenge for Amorim’s improving team

Unsurprisingly, Man Utd’s pre-season performances have come under huge scrutiny; Amorim’s singular tactical vision is a non-negotiable that, in 2024/25, did not often yield results.

But his team were very impressive in the 4-1 victory over Bournemouth, playing with a fluency and coherence rarely seen since Amorim was appointed last November.

2025 Summer Series: Man Utd 4-1 Bournemouth highlights

Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes interacted intelligently in midfield, Amad led the attack expertly with a rejuvenated Rasmus Hojlund, and Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu formed a solid partnership in the back five.

That’s all well and good against a Bournemouth defence picked apart in this summer transfer window. Facing Moyes’s low block represents an entirely different challenge.

Everton will look to frustrate, which means slower possession for Man Utd and fewer spaces in the final third. Can they stay sharp in that environment, or will it bring out the worst in Amorim’s still-evolving team?

Summer Series trophy on display in Atlanta
Thierno Barry might make first Everton start

The capture of Thierno Barry, who helped Villarreal qualify for the UEFA Champions League last season by scoring 11 league goals and recording four assists in LaLiga, is without doubt the biggest news at Everton this summer.

The Frenchman has come off the bench in both of Everton’s Summer Series matches so far, but after two disappointing defeats against Bournemouth and West Ham, Moyes might feel it is time to give his new signing a full debut.

A goal against Man Utd would be a huge moment for the 22-year-old as he tries to get up to the speed of English football.

That’s a big ask given how good Man Utd have looked, but with Roma being the only other pre-season opponents left to play, it seems Barry won't be blessed with lots of chances to score his first Everton goal before the 2025/26 campaign begins.

Iraola looking for answers in Bournemouth's backline

Andoni Iraola is working hard to find a solution to the defensive problem that could easily turn into a crisis.

Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen have already left the club for Liverpool and Real Madrid respectively, and now Illia Zabarnyi is reportedly close to a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

So far in the Summer Series, Iraola has tried a couple of different ideas. First, he played Marcos Senesi and James Hill as the centre-backs against Everton, securing a clean sheet in a 3-0 victory.

2025 Summer Series: Everton 0-3 Bournemouth highlights

However, Bournemouth's head coach switched to a back three for the 4-1 defeat to Man Utd and that three-man defence included Zabarnyi, who may not be available for selection on Sunday.

Iraola is going to have to rely on Sensi and Hill again, this time against a more formidable attack than Everton’s. The West Ham match will therefore provide a fascinating insight into what Bournemouth’s 2025/26 season could look like.

Fullkrug staking claim to lead Hammers attack

Niclas Fullkrug capped a strong performance against Everton with a superbly taken goal, a reminder of his talent after a disappointing debut campaign in English football.

2025 Summer Series: West Ham 2-1 Everton highlights

West Ham fans will be hoping Fullkrug's strike is the catalyst for a better season in 2025/26, particularly after Mohammed Kudus, Danny Ings and Evan Ferguson all left the club this summer, while Michail Antonio's future with the Hammers is still undecided.

Fullkrug could do with a confidence-boosting second goal in two games, and indeed may be looking forward to facing a Bournemouth defence likely to be without Zabarnyi.

The German will be supplied by a potentially revitalised Lucas Paqueta, playing for the first time since he was cleared of misconduct charges.

A Bournemouth defence that conceded four goals against Man Utd represents a good opportunity for Paqueta to begin his revival following a 2024/25 campaign in which he struggled for form.

And if Everton beat Man Utd in the later kick-off, Paqueta and Fullkrug could even be responsible for West Ham winning the Premier League Summer Series.

Find out more about the Summer Series, including how to buy tickets, here.

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