Manchester United u18s travelled to take on Blackburn Rovers on Saturday morning in the league.
Due to overlapping with the first team’s clash against Everton, the match saw little coverage on TV or any other media, but provided an exciting match of football nonetheless.
After a thumping 9-0 victory in the reverse fixture, Adam Lawrence’s side would have gone into the match feeling confident, although they were without James Scanlon, who scored four goals in the convincing win in September.
United did have Shea Lacey at their disposal though as he continues his return from injury and he threatened Luke Thompson in the Blackburn goal twice early on coming in from the right wing.
Louie Bradbury came close with a header from close range on what was just his second start for the u18s.
As expected, United were on top from the off but the goals weren’t as free flowing this time out, with it remaining scoreless at the break despite United’s 70% possession and eight attempts at goal.
A triple substitution at the break saw the introduction of Amir Ibragimov who impressed just the night before for the u21s against Chelsea.
It took just two minutes for Ibragimov to make his impact when he delivered an assist to Victor Musa to head in from inside the six yard box.
United’s lead didn’t last long though, Blackburn’s Max Davies responded with a headed goal of his own to level the scoring just five minutes later from a corner.
Jaydan Kamason, who has been in fine form recently, burst down the right wing before slipping the ball into the box for Ibragimov on the right side to chip over the outrushing keeper to restore the lead in the 56th minute.
The assist makes it Kamason’s fourth assist in February as he has solidified himself as a key player for the u18s.
Summer signing James Overy looked to extend the lead when he got into the box but he fired his shot just over the bar.
The 1-2 scoreline was enough for United to secure the three points but they remain in second place in the Premier League North table with Manchester City also winning on the day.
Speaking after the match Lawrence said “with the amount of football we’ve been playing lately, two games most weeks for the players, I think they deserve some credit with how they’ve been managing themselves and navigating their way through it really.”
The young reds now turn their focus to the FA Youth Cup for a big tie with Arsenal at the Emirates on Friday.
United: Byrne-Hughes, Kamason, Armer, Plunkett, Mills, Devaney (c) (Overy 46), Bailey, Thwaites, Lacey (Ibragimov 46), Bradbury (Lusale 46), Musa
Unused subs: Heath, Shah
Feature image Ben Roberts Photo 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.
