David Moyes admits he has been disappointed with both Beto and James Garner during Everton’s pre-season, as he reveals an injury concern ahead of the new campaign.

It has been a difficult summer for the Toffees in what should be an exciting time for the club as they move into their new stadium under new ownership.

The squad is thin after the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Mason Holgate and Ashley Young all left at the end of their contracts and signings have been slow to arrive.

Carlos Alcaraz has made his loan move permanent and both Thierno Barry and Adam Aznou have arrived, but Moyes would like more arrivals before the season begins in two weeks.

The Scotsman’s frustrations are not limited to the transfer market, however, as he has voiced his unhappiness with a couple of players.

Speaking before Everton’s 2-2 friendly draw with Manchester United on Sunday, Moyes called out striker Beto, saying: ‘I’ve been a bit disappointed with Beto and I’ve told him. We’re needing a bit more and he can do more and he has done more.

‘So we’re hoping we can get a bit more from him, but he’s a really honest working lad and I’m sure he’ll try and prove that tonight.’

Beto played 60 minutes of the match in Atlanta before being replaced by summer signing Barry, who he will be competing with to play up front this season.

The Toffees boss also admitted he had been underwhelmed by the performances of James Garner so far this summer, but that changed thanks to his display against his former club on Sunday.

‘I’ve actually been pretty disappointed in Jimmy in the early games in pre-season, but not tonight,’ said the manager. ‘Tonight, I thought he played really well and he actually went all of the distance.

‘But you’ve got to remember, we’ve played Jimmy Garner at right wing-back because we’ve not had other people to do the job. Jimmy’s a bit more flexible but we played him a little bit deeper and I thought as the game went on, he was the one who was still chugging along and I was pleased with him.’

While Moyes was pleased to see James Tarkowski back in the team after injury and suggested Jarrad Branthwaite will soon be available again, there was less good news about Nathan Patterson.

The defender has featured on the American tour but was not involved against the Red Devils, with the manager revealing he has a fitness concern.

‘Nathan has got hernia symptoms,’ said Moyes. ‘Whether it means he’s got a hernia or not, we’re not sure, but we’ll have him assessed on Tuesday after we get back.’

Results-wise, Everton’s pre-season has not been good, with Sunday’s draw coming after defeats to West Ham, Bournemouth and Blackburn Rovers.

Their final pre-season game comes on Saturday at home to Roma before their Premier League campaign begins at Leeds United on Monday August 18.

On the prospect of new signings before then, Moyes said: ‘I think there’ll be deals next week. I think we’re getting much closer. But I felt that four or five weeks ago as well.

‘Obviously, we’re getting near the tickly bits and we’ve got to get some things done.’

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