Manchester United u18s took on Manchester City in the mini Manchester derby on Saturday morning at Carrington.
The clash was a battle of the top of the table with both sides going into it on a 11 match winning streak.
United had yet to drop a point in the league including a win over City on the opening matchday of the season, but City sat on top of the table by one point going into the weekend, having played an extra two matches.
The first big chance of the match came the way of United as Chido Obi took down a long ball on the chest expertly to push into space down the right side before delivering a low cutback to James Scanlon, who cannoned his shot off the crossbar.
It was the visitors who would open the scoring in the 21st minute though. A casual pass in the midfield was cut out by City who quickly hit on the counter, with a delicate through ball from Finlay Gorman evading Dan Armer’s interception to find Ryan McAidoo on the run to finish first time.
City controlled possession throughout the first half but were unable to create many clear chances, making it a tight encounter going into the break.
Meanwhile, United’s lack of penetration on the wings had started to become a detriment as City packed the central areas leaving United with little in the way of threat.
The second half started as badly as it could for United though, with City doubling their lead within the opening minute. A driving run from McAidoo saw him test Will Murdock, who parried the shot into the path of Reigan Heskey to tap in.
United’s rare chances came from the delivery of Harry Amass venturing forward. On one occasion he put in a peach of a cross for Obi, who couldn’t keep his header on target from close range.
United enjoyed a short spell in the second half which saw Scanlon hit the back of the net but it was quickly ruled out for offside.
Tyler Fletcher then had his chance cleared off the line after he looked to scramble in from close range following a corner.
City made United pay for their missed chances, extending their lead in the 65th minute from a corner of their own as Stephen Mfuni rose highest to head home.
Luca Fletcher rounded out the scoring to make it 0-4 to City after United failed to clear following an initial good save from Murdock.
With the match all but over, Obi came close to scoring a consolation. He shrugged off his marker, who almost pulled down his shorts in the process, burst past another two defenders and struck the left post.
Obi continued the fight to the final whistle, including getting into a physical altercation with former United and Arsenal player Harrison Parker which saw both yellow carded.
It wasn’t meant to be for United on the day though, dropping points for the first time in the league this season. Adam Lawrence’s side now turn their attention to the Premier League Cup as they continue their title defence against West Ham on Tuesday.
United: Murdock, Kamason, Munro (c), Armer, Amass, T.Fletcher, Fitzgerald, Thwaites (Bailey 81), Musa, Obi, Scanlon (Kukonki 69)
Unused subs: Byrne-Hughes, Mills, Plunkett
Featured image Matt McNulty 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.
