“If we hadn’t won that game…”: United under-21 coach hails effort of young stars in huge victory over Man City

Manchester United under-21s boss Travis Binnion has given his thoughts after his side beat Manchester City under-21s 2-1 yesterday.

Impressive victory

United’s under-21s had to work hard but they ran out winners versus their local rivals.

Chido Obi gave the Red Devils the lead but they were pegged back in the 76th minute by Jaden Heskey.

Fortunately, the impressive Amir Ibragimov grabbed a deserved winner for Binnion’s side.

Binnion delighted with victory

Speaking to the club’s official website after the game, Binnion revealed how happy he was for his team.

Reflecting on the result he added, “it was deserved. We have suffered enough at times against them over the years. But I thought today, first 20 minutes aside, we dominated the game and for them to get back to 1-1 was a real kick in the teeth.”

The head coach also highlighted the qualities his side showed by claiming, “the resolve the lads showed, the individual quality, stuck at it, we were deserved winners. If we hadn’t won that game today, the feeling in that dressing room would have been really really low. Credit to the lads, they dominated the game against a good side.”

Binnion was then asked about the moments in the game where United struggled but he felt this was more down to their own play than City’s.

He asserted, “we were architects of our own downfall in that spell. I think we started the game really well but then we gave the ball away a couple of times, everything you can’t do against these in those areas of the pitch. We got back into the game and I think the scoreline at half-time was deserved.”

Binnion was also pleased that his team could score just before half time and then continue this positive performance into the second half.

The coach also suggested that United’s victory was even more impressive due to the injury issues in the squad.

He claimed that, “we have got lads playing in all sorts of positions. We had two defenders in the whole squad. We have lads with cramp at the end. Lads down to play 60, played 90, lads down to play 90 coming off after 70. It just shows the togetherness of the group, the mentality and the desire to want to win. I’m just really pleased for them.”

Binnion went on to praise the flexibility of his team and how they have managed to get positive results against all of Middlesbrough, Norwich City and Manchester City despite all three games following very different patterns.

The under-21s will next be in action away to Liverpool on the 21st September.

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