Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner says that his side will be aiming to put on a show when they contest the first-ever women’s fixture to be played at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Red Devils face Everton at the Merseyside club’s brand new arena at Bramley-Moore Dock on Sunday afternoon. Opponents Everton have picked up just four points from an available 15 so far and while Skinner believes that The Toffees will improve, he says that the focus is on his own side putting on a show this weekend. “I just think Brian [Sørensen] is going through a transition period where he is bringing different players in because he wants to evolve his playing style,” Skinner said when speaking in the pre-match press conference. “Brian is always a tough coach to play against, he’s very good at what he does. “I expect them to improve, I expect them to pick up more points. When they get the flow of what he wants, you’ll see some real good signs from them. “It’ll be a real tough game this weekend but we are looking forward to going to the brand new stadium and trying to put on a show for the fans. It’ll be really tough but I don’t see them having any issues going forward. They’re in start of the season mode and I think they’ll get out of that pretty quickly.” A bumper crowd is set to pack out the Hill Dickinson Stadium and Skinner is keen for his side to understand the added pressure that a large audience could bring. He said “Maybe [the occasion throws up challenges] but maybe for Everton too because they’re feeling it for the first time. There’s always a pressure when you go into a home game. If we can balance that pressure, for them as well and understand that, we can play well. Hopefully, it’ll be tough for them. “I’ve never played at Goodison Park neither and that’s an historic ground too, potentially next year. From my perspective, it’ll be good to put on a show for the fans, in an incredible stadium. I’m looking forward to playing there and I know the players are too but only if we put in a good performance and win.” Ahead of the game, Everton boss Brian Sørensen said that he believes that Manchester United are currently at their very best. Skinner doesn’t want to compare his current side against former teams, but agrees that The Red Devils are developing well. He said “It’s kind for Brian to say that. I think it’s different, it’s a different team. I wouldn’t compare any of my other teams to that, there would have to be a lot of context to that. What I’d say is that I’m really enjoying the way that we’re playing. We still have the same aggression without the ball but what we have now is the ability to unlock teams that are in a high block as well. We can mix the game and that’s what I like about this team. We’ve started with real good confidence. “I don’t know if it’s the best we’ve had so far but I’m definitely really enjoying the way we are playing and the signs in the direction which we are heading.” Manchester United’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture at Everton kicks-off at 12pm on Sunday afternoon. About The Author Daniel Pentland I am the editor and owner of the WSL Full-Time brand which I launched in 2018. I am an accredited journalist with the FWA, SJA and AIPS. I have reported from various levels of men’s and women’s elite football since 2016.
WSL champions Chelsea held to a draw by Manchester United
Reigning Barclays Women’s Super League champions Chelsea have dropped their first points of the season with the South West Londoners having battled out a 1-1 draw with Manchester United this evening. Wieke Kaptein fired Chelsea into an early lead but Anna Sandberg levelled for the hosts as both sides shared the spoils in Leigh. Manchester United started the game well and Elisabeth Terland forced an early save from Hannah Hampton before Jess Park spurned a great chance to score. At the other end, Ellie Carpenter’s dangerous cross found Aggie Beever-Jones but she was unable to flick the ball on target. The deadlock was broken in the ninth minute when Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Catarina Macario combined in a slick Chelsea move which was finished off by Kaptein from close range. The Blues were ahead for just 11 minutes. A ball fell to Sandberg on the edge of the box and she impressively rifled a shot beyond Hampton and into the net. Kaptein then almost netted her second goal of the game but Tullis-Joyce denied her from point blank range. Both sides brought further attacking energy in the second half but quality chances were few and far between. Beever-Jones saw a deflected effort go narrowly wide before Melvine Malard went equally as close at the other end with a drilled shot across goal. Chelsea pushed hard to keep their winning run going late in the game and Sjoeke Nsken went close before Keira Walsh was denied by Tullis-Joyce as the contest ended 1-1. Both sides begin their league phase UEFA Women’s Champions League campaigns in midweek. Manchester United play host to Vlerenga while Chelsea travel to FC Twente. About The Author Daniel Pentland I am the editor and owner of the WSL Full-Time brand which I launched in 2018. I am an accredited journalist with the FWA, SJA and AIPS. I have reported from various levels of men’s and women’s elite football since 2016. Post navigation
Disrupting Chelsea’s winning mentality the challenge for Manchester United says Skinner
Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner says that his side’s challenge it to disrupt Chelsea’s winning mentality when the two teams meet this weekend. The Red Devils play host to The Blues at The Progress With Unity Stadium in Leigh on Friday evening. When speaking to the media in the pre-match press conference, Manchester United boss Skinner reflected on the development of Chelsea under Sonia Bompastor. He said that the challenge remains to break their winning mentality. “Sonia [Bompastor] has tried to adapt them, she’s trying to play more with mixed styles,” Skinner said. “Chelsea can be direct, they can go aggressive and they can build from the back with Hannah [Hampton]. They can mix their style and if they can make it unpredictable, it means that you always have to concentrate on your defensive structures. “She’s adapted the formation a little bit at times and I think Chelsea just evolve with players. Different players bring solutions to different problems and that’s the key difference [from the Emma Hayes era]. “Sonia has continued their winning mentality and I think people aspire to get to that level of consistency as a team. Our job on Friday is to try and disrupt that. It’s a big challenge and something we are looking forward to.” Chelsea go into the game in first position while Manchester United are in second. Skinner admits that the two clubs are the most in-form but says that rankings only count for anything in May. He said “Right now, you’d say that this Friday, they go into it first and second, so by league position, potentially, yes, [the best two teams]. “I’ve watched all of the games so far and there’s loads of quality in this league, so let’s see at the end of the season. Right now, by league standings solely, you’d have to say yes, [the best two teams in the league].” Manchester United go into the game on the back of three clean sheets and Skinner highlighted the collective effort from his side out of possession. He said “I think people put it down to just defenders and Phallon [Tullis-Joyce] but we limit everything [collectively]. Phallon is there at the end of that sequence and she was there the other day when we needed her, that’s why she’s a top goalkeeper but I must stress that it’s the whole team’s work ethic. You don’t get clean sheets if you just defend well as individuals; we defend well as a team and that’s the key reason why we keep so many clean sheets. “It’s always a challenge when you play a team like Chelsea because they have so many ways that they can score. For us, we need to make sure that we minimise those [threats], try to score ourselves and balance the game. “I’m incredibly proud of how the players work for each other, that’s the unique team spirit that we have.” Manchester United’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against Chelsea kicks-off at 7.30pm on Friday evening. About The Author Daniel Pentland I am the editor and owner of the WSL Full-Time brand which I launched in 2018. I am an accredited journalist with the FWA, SJA and AIPS. I have reported from various levels of men’s and women’s elite football since 2016.
United reject chance to sign African midfielder because they have “next Pedri” at Carrington – report
Ruben Amorim has received backlash for showing little trust in Manchester United academy players. The United head coach has failed to start any academy player in the Premier League this season. Kobbie Mainoo, in particular, is thought to be “desperate” to leave his boyhood club on loan in search of playing time. Tyler Fredricson, Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey have all featured on the United bench without any league minutes this season. However, the club’s hierarchy are paying a lot of attention to the academy, having hired Stephen Torpey from Brentford to lead their youth setup. They have also shaped their transfer strategy, as there is a determination not to block the pathway for highly-rated academy stars. Manchester United end Dabo pursuit In recent months, United have been strongly linked with Be Sport academy midfielder Mouhamed Dabo. Earlier this year, the Senegal U17 captain spent a few weeks training at Carrington, impressing figures at United. Dabo remains available, but the Red Devils have decided to move in a different direction. According to journalist Christopher Michel, United had been working on a transfer for the Senegalese prodigy. It is understood that the Premier League giants decided against going ahead with the deal in order to prioritise the development of “great talent” Jim Thwaites and Cristian Orozco. Man United have their very own Pedri Thwaites has been one of United’s standout midfield prospects, raising the eyebrows with his technical prowess and positional awareness in the U18 Premier League. The 17-year-old defensive midfielder has also trained with the senior players. It is believed Amorim and his staff have been left impressed by the Englishman. Thwaites has been compared to Pedri for his press-resistance and exceptional vision. Meanwhile, United recently agreed a deal with Colombian outfit Fortaleza CEIF to sign their midfield gem Orozco. The 17-year-old South American will formally join the Mancunians next summer. Featured image Christopher Furlong 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 Vishal Singh Vishal has worked in the football media industry for over six years, planning, writing, and editing content for several major outlets, including North Star Network. Vishal has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Delhi University. Currently a writer at The Peoples Person, he covers Manchester United — a club he has been religiously following and supporting since 2012. Vishal also manages a leading MUFC fan page, The Red Devils, on Facebook with over a million likes. Big fan of ball-playing centre-backs and Harry Maguire’s knee-slide celebration!
“It’s a ritual…”: Senne Lammens reveals emotional reason for special numbers on his gloves
Manchester United secured the signature of Senne Lammens this summer from Royal Antwerp in a reported £18.1 million deal. The Red Devils were seeking an upgrade on Andre Onana, who had conceded 150 goals from 102 games since arriving at the Theatre of Dreams in the summer of 2023. The Cameroonian had divided opinion among fans, and his deputy, Altay Bayindir, had performed no better. In a bid to address the situation, the Premier League giants secured the services of Lammens on deadline day. Onana, meanwhile, departed on a season-long loan to Turkish club Trabzonspor. Baby Courtois The Belgian ace had made a name for himself with Antwerp, with his shot-stopping skills earning him comparisons to Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois. Ruben Amorim afforded him time to settle down at United, before handing him his debut against Sunderland in October. Lammens responded by keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 win and has retained his place ever since. Senne Lammens Premier League stats: 2025/26 Season MetricValue Appearances8 Goals Conceded10 Clean Sheets1 Saves Made17 Penalties Faced1 Passes (Completed %)286 (52%) Long Passes (Completed %)188 (29%) Red Cards0 Yellow Cards0 Source: Premier League website. The Belgian has brought much-needed composure between the sticks, and his assured presence has been a key factor in the Red Devils’ recent resurgence. It was recently observed that the 23 year old has the numbers 8 and 24 written on his gloves, and he has now provided an explanation for the same. A tribute to Kobe Bryant In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Lammens was asked to shed light on the matter and he said: “Nobody has asked me yet. It’s #8 and #24 [on my gloves].” “When I was growing up and a young goalkeeper, I had difficulties. My personality was calm, steady, mellow, more introverted. Some guy gave me a book called ‘The alter ego’ – when you step onto the pitch you kind of turn into another guy, like a mental switch.” “I’m a BIG basketball guy and one of my idols is Kobe Bryant, and his mentality, so the #8 and #24 are the numbers on his back. When I step onto the pitch, it’s a quick reminder to switch on, so during the game I look at it. It’s a ritual that I do now.” INEOS have worked hard to add not just good players, but also the right personalities to the squad, and Lammens already looks like a great addition to Amorim’s ensemble. Final Thoughts Lammens arrived as a relatively unproven name this summer, but he has coped quite well with the pressure of the Premier League. United have had trouble with their backline for a while, and while there have been improvements this season, the issues are not entirely resolved yet. Once the gaps are addressed and there’s a settled backline guarding the Belgian, one can expect him to get even better. Senne Lammens reveals the meanings behind the numbers on his gloves 🧤 pic.twitter.com/PigyXy9cQu — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 5, 2025 Featured image Gareth Copley 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 Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
3-4-3: United will hunt Wolves down with this amazing line-up, the gloves are finally off
Matthijs de Ligt is expected to be fit again for Manchester United on Monday as they travel to Molineux in search of three valuable points against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Defence De Ligt is almost certain to be restored straight back into the starting XI after his understudy, Ayden Heaven, put in a shaky performance against West Ham United on Thursday and was substituted at half-time. Although Lisandro Martinez now has some minutes under his belt, Luke Shaw will probably continue at left centre-back, where he has been performing well. The big question regarding the back line is whether Leny Yoro will be reinstated on the right or whether Amorim will stick with Noussair Mazraoui. It is a 50-50 decision, but since Mazraoui has not put a foot wrong in the position, we predict he will keep his place. Harry Maguire is still out injured. Senne Lammens will be in goal, and the wing-backs will not be changed. Both Amad and Diogo Dalot played well on Thursday. Midfield and Attack Amorim is a stubborn man and is highly unlikely to start Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, despite a barrage of criticism from pundits and the media for not giving the academy product more chances. Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes will surely continue. Manuel Ugarte got some minutes against the Hammers but will be on the bench. With Ben Sesko still out injured, there are four options up front: Bryan Mbeumo, Josh Zirkzee, Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha. Cunha was poor on Thursday, but Zirkzee hardly set the world on fire either. If Mount is brought in, which we expect, it makes more sense to drop the Dutchman than the Brazilian, who is a more natural goalscorer and would therefore complement Mount well. Mbeumo will continue on the right side of the attack. There is a slight chance that both Cunha and Zirkzee will be sacrificed, with Amad and Mount supporting Mbeumo, Mazraoui shifting to wing-back and Yoro replacing him at centre-back. Here, then, is our predicted XI for Monday’s 8pm GMT kick-off: Featured image Alex Livesey 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 Red Billy Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and two magazines and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy first saw United live in 1971, watching George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, before becoming a League Match ticket book holder from 1975/76 and a writer since 1995. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
United starlet steals the show with sublime brace in dramatic FA Cup victory
Manchester United had a plethora of loan players in action on Saturday afternoon, as is often the case. To see where all of Manchester United’s players are playing on loan this season, click here. Ethan Ennis The young winger scored a brace in Fleetwood Town’s FA Cup victory against Luton Town. His first goal, scored on 70 minutes, was a cool finish at the back post after he was left unmarked by the Hatters’ defence. His second was a work of art. Ennis received the ball and struck a beautiful trivela into the top corner, sending Highbury into raptures. Ennis also held his nerve to slot his penalty into the corner in the shootout. Town eventually ran out 4-2 winners after penalties and will be in the third round of the cup. Ethan Ennis. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PS6pmQ44JZ — Fleetwood Town Football Club (@ftfc) December 6, 2025 Radek Vitek Vitek’s strong performance for Bristol City could not prevent them from slipping to a 1-0 defeat at home to Millwall. The Czech goalkeeper made five saves, with four coming inside the box. He also made one high claim in his area. Harry Amass The young left-back started for Sheffield Wednesday, but their game against Blackburn Rovers was abandoned after 60 minutes due to heavy rain. During his time on the pitch, Amass won two tackles and made three recoveries in the match up to the point of its cancellation. Jadon Sancho The winger played in the final 15 minutes of Aston Villa’s stunning 2-1 win over Arsenal. During his limited time on the pitch, he completed two key passes and created one big chance. The winger also completed 88% of his passes and won his only duel during the game. Ethan Williams The United youngster played 75 minutes of Falkirk’s 3-0 loss to Hibernian. He made two key passes and completed an impressive 84% of his passes. Williams won his only tackle and completed four ground duels during the game. Ethan Ennis season stats AppearancesGoalsAssistsMinutes 18411245 Source: transfermarkt.com Featured image Ian MacNicol 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 Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.
Roma’s significant bid for Joshua Zirkzee receives quick response from United – report
Manchester United have reportedly issued a clear response after AS Roma lodged a January loan bid for striker Joshua Zirkzee. Roma interested in Zirkzee Zirkzee has seen a significant uptick in minutes in recent weeks, largely due to injuries to Benjamin Šeško and Matheus Cunha. The Dutchman started United’s last three games against Everton, Crystal Palace and West Ham. He scored a superb goal vs. Palace but couldn’t do much as United were beaten by Palace and most recently, dropped points against West Ham at Old Trafford. Despite increased playing time, speculation over Zirkzee’s future refuses to completely go away. Ruben Amorim is believed to be keen on retaining Zirkzee beyond the winter transfer window but Roma are still keeping tabs on the forward. Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini is an avid admirer of Zirkzee, having unsuccessfully tried to snap him up while he was in charge at Atalanta. Reports have suggested that Zirkzee is keen on moving to Roma in an effort to secure a spot in Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad for the 2026 World Cup. A report covered by The Peoples claimed that Roma had tabled a bid for Zirkzee. The report noted that Roma proposed an initial loan deal with an option to buy that would turn into an obligation should they secure Champions League qualification. Corriere dello Sport have now given an update, indicating that this offer was rejected by United. United respond to Roma According to Corriere dello Sport [via SportWitness], United have made it known they’re not open to loan deals as they “want the money now.” Roma sporting director Frederic Massara remains in negotiations with United over a potential transfer but there is no guarantee that it will get over the line. United turned down Roma’s proposal. They want to cash in on the 24-year-old now rather than wait for the summer. The news outlet notes that while Zirkzee’s resolve to join the Giallorossi is “ironclad”, United will not give the Serie A giants any “freebies.” Roma are growing unsettled over the situation and are exploring alternative signings, including Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto. Featured image Justin Setterfield 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 Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
United’s pursuit of French midfield orchestrator under serious threat from Atletico Madrid – report
Manchester United are currently eighth in the Premier League table after 14 games this season, two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea. The Red Devils invested heavily in their attack this summer, and are now expected to focus on the midfield in 2026. Ruben Amorim has deployed a pivot of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro this season to mixed effect. Both players, however, are on the wrong side of 30, so reinforcements are necessary. The Brazilian, meanwhile, is also out of contract at the end of this season, and has not been offered a new deal yet. United are also sweating on the future of Kobbie Mainoo, while Manuel Ugarte has failed to live up to expectations since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) around 18 months ago. A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person states that the Premier League giants have identified talented Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi as an option to strengthen their midfield. The right profile for United Bouaddi rose through the ranks at the Ligue 1 club before breaking into the senior side in 2023. He has already established himself in the senior side and has made 18 appearances across all competitions this season, 15 of which have been starts. Ayyoub Bouaddi Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played Ligue 114–14–1,043′ UEFA Europa League4––1–222′ Total18–15–1,265′ Source: Transfermarkt. Bouaddi is highly press-resistant, exceptional on the ball, and has a wise head on his shoulders, attributes that have already endeared him to United. A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person, however, states that the player has already signed a new deal with Lille until 2029, so prising him away will not be easy. It now appears that the Red Devils will also face competition from a Spanish side in the race for the 18 year old’s signature. Atletico Madrid want Bouaddi According to Fichajes, Atletico Madrid are preparing a €50 million offer to convince Lille to let their prized asset go. The La Liga giants have had their eyes on Bouaddi for a while and view him as an ideal addition to Diego Simeone’s squad. Los Rojiblancos are keen to beat the competition for the youngster’s signature, which is why they are planning to make a move for him in the winter market. The update will not please INEOS, so United may have to step up their efforts if they wish to secure Bouaddi’s signature. Final Thoughts Bouaddi is a generational talent and a profile that United are missing at the moment. The youngster’s ability to dictate the tempo of games and his technical nous make him an ideal fit in Amorim’s system, and perhaps also a cheaper alternative to someone like Elliot Anderson. There is a risk associated with the move, especially since the Frenchman does not have much experience of top-tier football and may take time to adapt to the Premier League. However, if the Red Devils are willing to afford Bouaddi time to flourish, he could turn out to be a game-changer for the club. Feature image Christof Koepsel 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 Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
United legend’s son makes u18s debut, but it was another sensational 15 year old who secured victory vs Newcastle
Manchester United Under-18s hosted Newcastle United on Saturday morning in the Under-18s Premier League. After a whopping 7-0 victory over Liverpool last time out, United looked to carry their momentum into this match, as a win would see them leapfrog Newcastle in the table and move into second place. Due to illness, Darren Fletcher took a more reserved role on the bench for the match, while Under-21s manager Travis Binnion stepped down to take charge on the touchline. The match saw Louie Bradbury make his first start of the campaign after returning from injury last week, when he scored off the bench against Liverpool. A familiar name was also included on the bench, as Michael Carrick’s son, Jacey, made his Under-18s debut. First half The young Red Devils were on top from the start and were unlucky not to take the lead within the opening 10 minutes. Jim Thwaites forced an early save with an effort from 20 yards, before Bendito Mantato was denied by a world-class save on the rebound by George Mair. A few minutes later, Junior Brown hung up a cross into the box for Jariyah Shah to run onto and take on the volley, but the Australian international was also denied by Mair. It was evident why Mair has been involved with England at youth level, as he produced more top saves to deny JJ Gabriel twice in the space of five minutes. Mantato and Yuel Helafu combined on the right wing with some one-touch passing to break into the box, but Mantato’s squared pass was just out of reach for both Bradbury and Brown, who were attacking the back post. Despite the one-way traffic, the score remained 0-0 at the break, with the Newcastle keeper playing a huge role in that. Second half United looked to the bench at the break, introducing Douka Nkoto and Noah Ajayi. The change paid dividends within minutes, as Nkoto made the breakthrough in the 53rd minute by slotting in the rebound after Kukonki’s effort was saved. The duo combined again on the hour mark to double United’s lead. Thwaites’ free-kick delivery was knocked down by Kukonki, who then poked it to Nkoto for an easy tap-in from close range. Kukonki had an excellent second half, coming close to scoring himself after dribbling past three defenders and poking the ball towards the far corner, but it rolled just the wrong side of the post. Jacey Carrick replaced JJ Gabriel in the 70th minute for his Under-18s debut, slotting into midfield as his father famously did for the club. The scoring was rounded out by Ajayi late on, when United pressed high up the pitch. Nkoto pinched the ball away before laying it off to Ajayi for an easy finish. The win puts United back into second in the league ahead of Newcastle, but they remain four points behind rivals Manchester City. United now turn their attention to the FA Youth Cup for Tuesday’s match at Old Trafford against Peterborough United. Match facts United: Byrne-Hughes, Helafu, Mills, Armer, Kukonki, Thwaites (McEvoy 61), Shah, Mantato (D. Nkoto 46), Gabriel (Carrick 70), Brown, Bradbury (Ajayi 46) Unused subs: Heath Goals: D. Nkoto 53, 60, Ajayi 79 Feature image Lewis Storey 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.
