Ndiaye Shines in Draw Against Manchester United
Iliman Ndiaye showcased his talents during Everton’s 2-2 draw against Manchester United at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on August 3, 2025. The highlight of his performance was a striking left-footed volley that equalized the score. He also played a crucial role in Everton’s second goal, triggering a powerful run that led to a foul by Bruno Fernandes.
Focus Shifts to New Signings
While discussions swirled around Manchester United’s recent high-profile signings—£62.5 million Matheus Cunha and £71 million Bryan Mbeumo—Ndiaye’s standout effort made it clear that he is a player to watch. As Everton’s top scorer with nine goals in his first full Premier League season, Ndiaye is poised to elevate his game further.
Ndiaye’s Optimistic Outlook
Reflecting on his goal, Ndiaye noted, “The goal I scored gives me good confidence.” He concluded the season with 11 goals across all competitions, including a double during his last appearance at Goodison Park. He expressed his perspective on preseason performance: “I’m not usually one who wants to score too many goals in preseason, but now it feels good to be able to help the team get a result.”
Ndiaye also acknowledged the expectations he places on himself: “I wouldn’t say I put pressure (on myself), but I expect a lot from myself. I want to score a lot of goals and assists, which, as I always say, is what an attacking player should do.”
Overall Experience
Despite finishing winless in the Premier League Summer Series, the match against Manchester United provided a measure of satisfaction after losses to West Ham United and Bournemouth. Ndiaye stated, “I think overall it was a pleasing result. Obviously, we started the tournament not very well and today we needed to change that and put on a good performance for ourselves and the fans.”
Everton’s fans showed remarkable support throughout their preseason tour, and Ndiaye expressed his pride: “When I first came, I didn’t know Everton fans were like this all over the world. So coming here and seeing how many fans we have, how they support the team, how loud they’ve been in the stadium—everyone’s heard it. So, yes, it’s amazing.”
Upcoming Matches
Having returned to the UK, Everton prepares for their final friendly before the new Premier League season kicks off against Leeds United on August 18. This Saturday, they will face Serie A giants Roma in a match at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium, a highly anticipated sell-out event that will also feature a Legends game with former players from both clubs afterward.
