Manchester United’s U21 side faced Norwich City U21s at Carrington for a Friday afternoon kick-off.
Played behind closed doors, the match wasn’t open to spectators, nor was it broadcast on the club’s own MUTV channel.
Travis Binnion made five changes to the team from Monday night’s victory over Middlesbrough, including Harry Amass returning to the side as the club continues to work out finding the perfect loan move for him.
First half
United’s Dan Armer threatened first when he rose highest from a corner to head at goal but it was straight down the throat of Norwich keeper Caleb Ansen.
It took until only the 13th minute for United to find the breakthrough though, with Chido Obi scoring his first of the season after an error at the back from Norwich.
Norwich then levelled it up after the 20th minute. Luke Towler got on the end of Alan Domeracki’s free kick to turn past Will Murdock.
United restored their lead just two minutes later, with Armer making no mistake with his head this time, connecting from James Scanlon’s delivery to make it 2-1.
Obi came close to adding a third before the break but was denied by Ansen.
Second half
The third goal did come for United early in the second half. Sam Mather’s chipped cross to the back post was finished off by Ethan Ennis.
Norwich were clinging on though, Errol Mundle-Smith hit the woodwork before following in to score from his own rebound.
Gabriele Biancheri came close after being introduced off the bench, firing just wide of the post.
But it was another substitute, Jack Fletcher, who scored the match’s final goal to secure the three points for United with a 4-2 victory.
United are back in Premier League 2 action on Saturday, August 31, when they host rivals Manchester City at Leigh Sports Village.
United: Murdock, Kamason, Devaney, Armer, Amass, T. Fletcher, Baumann, Ennis (J. Fletcher 75), Scanlon, Mather, Obi (Biancheri 75)
Unused subs: Byrne-Hughes, Fitzgerald, McAllister
Feature image Lewis Storey via Getty Images
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Colm Murphy
A football obsessed Canadian who moved to England to enjoy the beautiful game. Colm has been keen follower of Manchester United’s famed academy since seeing a fresh faced Adnan Januzaj for the club’s u18s and has been writing about football with a focus on youth development for over 10 years.
