Everton played Manchester United as the club stepped up its preparations for the return of the Premier League.
The squad was involved in a behind closed doors training exercise with their FA Cup third round opponents on Wednesday, drawing 1-1.
The work out was part of efforts to build on fitness after senior players were given a short break following the games in Australia last month and while the World Cup continued.
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Details of the fixture and who was involved are limited with both clubs viewing the event as an extension of training rather than a friendly, but multiple sources have confirmed to the ECHO they were involved in a training exercise yesterday. The work-out took place at Carrington, Manchester United's training complex.
That such an exercise took place comes as little surprise as Frank Lampard had confirmed last month that the Blues were looking to set up behind closed doors games during the final days of the World Cup break. The ECHO understands at least one more similar exercise has been arranged for Everton's senior squad.
First team players returned to Finch Farm last week as training resumed ahead of the game with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day. Images released by the club showed senior stars in action on the training pitches and in the gym. They had been allowed a short break after returning from action in the Sydney Super Cup in November, where Everton defeated Celtic on penalties before thumping Western Sydney Wanderers 5-1.
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