Adrian Heath excited to test Emanuel Reynoso in Minnesota United friendly v Everton

Minnesota United head coach Adrian Heath is looking forward to testing star player Emanuel Reynoso when the club hosts Everton in a friendly next week.

The Toffees are in the United States to ramp up their preparations for the 2022/23 Premier League season, facing Arsenal in Baltimore before heading to Allianz Field to go up against the Loons.

Heath - who won two league titles with Everton in the mid-1980s - has often championed Reynoso as the 'best player in MLS' when at his best. What better way to give that statement an examination than by pitting him against Premier League defenders?

"I'm really looking forward to seeing two or three of our younger guys play against Premier League opposition. I want to see how Emanuel Reynoso copes with a Premier League club, Premier League players marking him and being around him, because this kid has a special talent," Heath told 90min in an exclusive interview.

"We paid $5 million for him. So I'm really looking forward to seeing how he looks when he's in that type of company."

After playing in arguably the greatest Everton team of all time and representing the likes of Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Espanyol during his playing career before a managerial adventure that's lasted 26 years so far, it's safe to say Heath knows talent when he sees it.

Despite a criticism of not scoring enough goals, Reynoso is placed right among the best Heath has ever witnessed. He believes the Argentine's days in Major League Soccer will be numbered if he can start finding the net more often.

"The biggest issue that he's had, he's always been able to make assists, I think last year was 18, but he's not scored enough goals," Heath said, adding: "He gets five, six of goals [but] he should be getting more.

"I think he's on seven now, so if he has another good setting off of the season, he should be getting double figures. Now, if he is a consistent 10 to 15-goal season man, with his assists, chances are he won't be playing for me that much longer.

"If he puts that to his game, he can play at any level. Honestly. I've played with a lot of great players, and I've worked with a lot of great players. This kid's as good as anybody."