Frustration for Manchester United U21s as their title hopes stall as injuries take their toll

Manchester United Under-21s took on Birmingham City Under-21s away at the Arden Garages Stadium in Stratford-upon-Avon on Friday night. Adam Lawrence was forced to select a heavily rotated side due to a string of injuries. United’s top goalscorer, Chido Obi, missed out following a head injury in Monday’s loss to Chelsea. First half Malachi Sharpe nearly gave United the perfect start when he intercepted an errant back pass from a Birmingham defender, but the United winger was unable to beat the keeper, Will O’Sullivan. Jayce Fitzgerald then flashed an effort across the face of goal which went narrowly wide. It did not take long for Fitzgerald to have another attempt, though, and this effort gave United the lead in the ninth minute.  The midfielder’s free-kick from near the corner flag missed everyone in the crowded penalty area before bouncing straight into the back of the net. The lead was short-lived, however, as Birmingham drew level with their first attack of the game less than 10 minutes later. Zaid Betteka found space inside the box before cutting back to Alezandro Da Silva, who equalised with an easy finish from close range. The home side grew into the match as the half wore on and came close to taking the lead before the break, with Will Murdock producing an excellent save to deny Yusuf Ahmed. Second half United looked to turn it around in the second half and gained control of the match through Finley McAllister and Tyler Fletcher, the latter of whom slipped through Fitzgerald, who was denied his second goal of the game. Fletcher tried his own luck with an effort from distance that was struck with fierce venom, but it clipped the top of the crossbar as it went out. Substitute Louie Bradbury had the final chance to earn the win for United, but the Welsh international’s curled effort sailed just wide of the post. United ultimately had to settle for a draw, which sees them remain in third place in Premier League 2, just one point off the league leaders, Fulham. Match facts United: Murdock; Overy, Jackson (c) (Mills 75), Kukonki, Leon (McEvoy 62); T. Fletcher, McAllister (McCormack 75); Sharpe, Fitzgerald, Shah (Bradbury 75); Musa. Unused subs: Honor. Goal: Fitzgerald 9 Booked: Leon. Feature image Matt McNulty via Getty Images 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.