Manchester United’s JJ Gabriel continued his goalscoring this week with another for the u17s in the Premier League Cup.
Darren Fletcher led out an u17s side at Stoke City’s training ground for their second group stage match of the Premier League Cup.
United opened the cup competition with a 1-3 loss to Blackburn Rovers so were desperate for a result if they are to advance.
Match events
It didn’t take long for JJ Gabriel to open the scoring for United, adding another to the seven goals he has already scored this campaign for the u18s.
With seven goals in six appearances so far for the u18s this season, Gabriel is averaging over a goal a game despite playing up three age groups.
Edward Ibrovic-Fletcher found Gabriel before the 14 year old picked his corner with a delightful finish.
United doubled their lead in the 15th minute, Ibrovic-Fletcher playing provider again but this time the move was finished off by Junior Brown.
The match saw the return of Dante Plunkett for his first appearance of the season.
Plunkett had been out with an injury since the backend of last season and got 25 minutes under his belt before being subbed off for Jacob Watson.
It was unclear if the substitution was pre-planned or Plunkett picked up another knock.
Ibrovic-Fletcher came close to scoring himself with a long range effort which was tipped over the bar by Ben Chivers.
United’s captain Jay McEvoy was forced off just after the hour mark when he took an awkward landing and hurt his shoulder.
His replacement saw Jacey Carrick make his debut at the level, sporting the number 16 shirt his dad Michael Carrick famously wore for United.
Stoke City pulled one back in the second half when Lewis Bailey turned in Finley Nixon’s cross but it was too little too late as United secured the three points.
United will take on Burnley in their final group stage match later this month.
Match facts
United: Osuchukwu, Helafu, Emsden-James, Ngwashi (O’Brien), Plunkett (Watson), McEvoy (c) (Carrick), Shah, Brown, Ibrovic-Fletcher, Gabriel, D. Nkoto
Unused subs: Irving, McCormack
Goals: Gabriel 6, Brown 15
Featured image Christopher Furlong 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.
