16-year-old midfielder scored great goal for United u18s in disappointing defeat

Manchester United Under-18s hosted Everton at Carrington on Saturday morning for their final match before the Christmas break. First half United got off to a great start when Jariyah Shah fired the ball into the top right corner from the edge of the box in the opening minutes. The young Red Devils enjoyed most of the possession during the opening 45 minutes, although the visitors still posed a threat. Cameron Byrne-Hughes did well to tip Ademide Akarakiri’s header over the bar in the 30th minute. The resulting corner led to a scramble in the box, during which Everton thought they had forced the ball over the line, but the referee ruled that it was no goal. JJ Gabriel was United’s main attacking threat, taking several efforts at the Everton goal but unable to beat the keeper. Yuel Helafu ensured United retained their lead at the break with a goal-line clearance late in the half. Second half Ray Roberts levelled the score early in the second half from the penalty spot after being tripped in the area by Helafu. Gabriel and James Bailey each came close to scoring directly from corners, but Douglas Lukjanciks managed to get his fingertips to both efforts. Against the run of play, Melvin Matos fired Everton into the lead after United could only clear the corner to Matos at the edge of the box. Everton sealed the victory late on with a third goal from Ceiran Loney. United now have a break of nearly a month until they are in action again on 17th January, away to Burnley. Jariyal ShahMatch facts United: Byrne-Hughes; Helafu, McCormack, Mills (c), Plunkett (Watson 80); Shah, Bailey; Brown, Gabriel, D. Nkoto (Mpofu 68); Bradbury (McEvoy 68) Subs not used: Hardy, Ibragimov Goals: Shah 3 | Roberts 51 (pen), Matos 81, Loney 90+2. The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social 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. You can follow him X: RedYouthUnited.