Two hour kick-off delay and match ending brawl not enough to separate United U18’s from old rivals

Manchester United u18s hosted Leeds United at Carrington on Saturday. Originally set for a 11:30 kick-off, the match was delayed two hours due to a motorway closure which left the visitors unable to arrive at the ground on time. As United’s senior side clashed with Tottenham Hotspur, old faces of both clubs were on the sidelines at Carrington. Darren Fletcher managing United was matched by former Leeds and Tottenham player Aaron Lennon who is an assistant coach to Rob Etherington. The last time the two sides met at Carrington in April, United came out 13-1 victors. First half The action on the pitch was started with an early Jim Thwaites free kick that was palmed away be Leeds keeper Alexander Baird. James Overy hit the back of the net shortly after making an inside run from right back, but the Australian was denied a first goal of the season by the offside flag. The bulk of the action was one way as United pinned Leeds back with a high press. Captain Amir Ibragimov stung the hands of Baird with a powerful shot but Noah Ajayi closest to providing the breakthrough. Just four minutes before the break, Ajayi’s long range effort cannoned off the right post and back into a dangerous area, but United were unable to follow it up. Second half Hitting the post was Ajayi’s last action as he was replaced by JJ Gabriel at the break. United continued to chase a breakthrough but struggled to find one as Ibragimov and James Bailey’s efforts were blocked by some resolute defending from Leeds. Against the run of play, Leeds won a penalty at the other end, but Fred Heath got down quickly to his right to save the spot kick. The match became end to end in the latter stages as Leeds hit the post themselves before JJ Gabriel’s curling effort flew narrowly wide of the goal. The match ended with the score locked at 0-0 but the action continued after the final whistle. Both sides came together in a physical clash which left the referee no choice but to show red cards to United’s Bailey and Leeds’ Carrick Njinko for their parts in the brawl. Match facts United: Heath, Overy, McCormack, Kukonki, J.Watson; Thwaites, Ibragimov (c), Bailey (McEvoy 64), Lusale (D. Nkoto 82), Ajayi (Gabriel 46), Brown (Plunkett 64) Subs not used: Z.Watson Booked: Bailey, Ibragimov, Kukonki | Njinko, Philpott Sent off: Bailey | Njinko Featured image James Fearn 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.