Manchester United youngster Jack Fletcher will miss the next two EFL Trophy games after being sent off last night.
The youngster was shown a straight red card for dissent (as confirmed by BBC Sport’s Simon Stone) to put a dampener on his stellar display, which saw him etch his name onto the scoresheet to open the scoring inside eight minutes against Barnsley.
Jack Fletcher red card at Barnsley last night competition specific, so misses @ManUtd next two EFL Trophy games.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) October 22, 2025
Jack Fletcher sent off as United slump to 5-2 loss vs Barnsley
United’s U21s would, however, eventually lose the tie 5-2, with five goals coming in the second half.
Seasoned centre-forward David McGoldrick balanced the scoring just two minutes before half-time before giving the hosts the advantage shortly after the interval.
The tie was then levelled thanks to Chido Obi, who made it 2-2 in the 53rd minute, until McGoldrick restored Barnsley’s lead in the 62nd, sealing a hat-trick on home turf.
Diego Leon plays 63 minutes in second U21 appearance
On a more positive note for United, Diego Leon added some much-needed minutes to his tally for the season after he was given the nod by Travis Binnion to start at left-back.
The Paraguayan international has featured once before for the U21s, making a 45-minute cameo in the league against Liverpool, while he has also been included in Ruben Amorim’s matchday squad on four occasions this campaign.
Leon has watched on from the bench for matches against Manchester City, Brentford, Sunderland and Grimsby Town. Over the international break, he was granted his senior debut for his national team in the closing stages of a friendly defeat to South Korea.
Binnion deployed the 18-year-old, who officially signed in the summer in a £7 million (£3.3m up front) switch from Cerro Porteno, at left-back in a back four.
As per Sofascore, Leon won four ground duels and two tackles. He also recorded five clearances, three recoveries and one last-man tackle.
