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Friday 21 February 2025 20:55
First-half goals from Ryan Kavuma-McQueen and Ato Ampah condemned Manchester United’s Under-21s to defeat at Chelsea in Premier League 2 on Friday night.
The young Reds created plenty of chances at Kingsmeadow and forced Blues goalkeeper Ted Curd into several good saves, but were hit twice on the break before half-time.
Starting with intensity, United created the game’s first chance when Gabriele Biancheri’s low drive — from a Jack Fletcher cross — was denied bravely by the out-rushing Curd.
Harry Amass then centred for Tyler Fletcher, whose right-footed effort was blocked, allowing Chelsea to launch a counter-attack. The Blues showed a clinical edge that United had lacked when Kavuma-McQueen drove one in from 25 yards.
Curd once again prevented Biancheri finding the back of the net, this time after the Welsh striker attempted to chip the Chelsea ‘keeper when being fed through nicely by midfielder Finley McAllister.
An effort from McAllister came after a string of corners for United, but, like Fletcher’s early in the game, was blocked impressively by a resilient Chelsea defence. The hosts, meanwhile, continued to offer a great threat on the counter-attack. Murdock saved from Ampah’s shot after cutting inside but the Ghanaian winger was backed soon after and made no mistake this time to double Chelsea’s lead.
While the game’s intensity dropped after half-time, counter-attacks continued to reap dividends for both sides. Murdock denied Kavuma-McQueen well after a dangerous ball across goal.
At the other end, chances came and went for United. Substitute Amir Ibragimov, who replaced Moorhouse before the hour-mark, met Tyler Fletcher’s low cross at the back post but couldn’t convert. Ibragimov then combined with Amass who was also denied and United couldn’t ever find the goal to inspire hope in the final minutes.
MATCH DETAILS
United: Murdock; Ogunneye, Munro (Murray 76), Fredricson (c), Amass; McAllister, J. Fletcher, T. Fletcher (Rowe 76); Scanlon, Biancheri, Moorhouse (Ibragimov 59).
Unused subs: Myles.
Goals: McQueen 15, Ampah 44.
Booked: Munro, Moorhouse, McAllister.
COMING UP
Travis Binnion’s side next face Sutton United in the quarter-final of the inaugural National League Cup. The young Reds have put in some stellar performances in the new competition this season, defeating all of Forest Green Rovers, Altrincham, Rochdale and Oldham Athletic in the group stages.
Tuesday night’s 19:00 GMT kick-off at Sutton will be televised live on MUTV.
As for Premier League 2, Binnion’s boys have several weeks off until a home fixture against West Brom on Friday 14 March at Leigh Sports Village. Tickets are available here.
Catch up on our latest Academy coverage:
Friday 21 February 2025 20:55
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