Manchester United U21s began their EFL Trophy campaign with an away trip to Lincoln City.
Sitting in 4th place in League One with only one loss in their opening 10 matches, Lincoln were sure to be a tough challenge for United’s youngsters.
Travis Binnion’s side went into the match in fine form, currently topping the Premier League 2 table with a perfect record after five matches including a 4-1 thumping of Crystal Palace last weekend.
First half
The home side had the first chance of the match when Justin Obikwu ran in behind, but Will Murdock was quick off his line to close the angles, forcing Obikwu to lift the ball over the crossbar.
United had a few chances of their own through Shea Lacey and James Scanlon but neither could trouble the keeper with their shots blocked and sailing wide respectively.
Obikwu had the best chance of the half in the 18th minute when the ball was centred to him at close range, and he forced an excellent save out of Murdock.
Scanlon tried his luck again late on in the half when he tried to catch the keeper off guard with a snapshot from a wide angle but Zachary Jeacock was able to adjust and push the ball wide for a corner.
Second half
The hosts finally broke the deadlock after the restart. A corner fell to the head of Tom Hamer, who looped it towards the far left corner and over Murdock who couldn’t get his hands on the effort.
United came close to levelling it up shortly after but a crucial goal line clearance kept the score at 1-0.
A lovely bit of one-touch passing between Scanlon, Shea Lacey, and Jack Fletcher ended with the latter cutting onto his weaker right foot and curling the ball towards the far corner, but Lewis Montsma covered to prevent the goal-bound effort from going in.
Poor defending on United’s left wing allowed Lincoln to get their second, as a deep cross was met by Erik Ring on the volley, and the ball hit the ground and went in off the crossbar.
Lincoln substitute Reeco Hackett-Fairchild then made it 3-0 after Jacob Devaney’s sliding interception fell kindly into his path.
Deep into stoppage time, Jack Fletcher was denied a wonder goal again when his long range strike was thwarted by Jeacock at full stretch.
The young Red Devils will feel hard done by the score line having controlled possession while also producing more shots but ultimately it came down to who could finish their chances.
United still have group stage matches against Barnsley and Notts County left, but before then, they will take on Everton U21s on Friday night in Premier League 2 action.
Match facts
United: Murdock; Kamason, Munro, Bennett (McAllister, 82), J.Fletcher, T.Fletcher, Devaney, Lacey, Fitzgerald (Musa, 85), Scanlon (Ibragimov, 82), Obi (Biancheri, 67)
Subs not used: Heath, Mills, Thwaites
Feature image Ben Roberts photo 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.
