U18s: Everton 0 United 1

Manchester United began a new U18 Premier League campaign with victory at Everton thanks to captain Amir Ibragimov’s first-half penalty.

The young Reds were dominant in Darren Fletcher’s first league game as lead coach, having replaced the successful Adam Lawrence over the summer.

They next face Middlesbrough, on Saturday 23 August, at Carrington.

United played with real sharpness on a pristine Finch Farm pitch, and dominated possession from the off.

Captain Amir Ibragimov dictated proceedings, and kept the tempo high. He combined early on with Gabriel and James Overy to create the first opening, which ended with an Overy shot blocked. Gabriel endured the same fate a minute later after a quick one-two with the skipper.

United kept Everton penned in, but had to be patient in possession when faced with a compact backline. Set pieces provided an additional angle, with Thwaites putting a free-kick over the crossbar, which is where Race McCormack’s header from a corner went, too.

The opening goal came from the spot, with Ibragimov converting cooly into the bottom right corner after Gabriel had been fouled.

Everton ‘keeper Douglass Lukjanciks denied Eddie Ibrovic-Fletch and Gabriel once again before the break, with United disappointed to only lead by one. That same frustration continued after the restart, with shots blocked or wide from Ibrovic-Fletcher, Gabriel and Abdoulaye.

With United still controlling the game but lacking clear-cut opportunities, extra energy arrived with Rooney replacing Ibrovic-Fletcher for an U18s debut. It wasn’t long before an opening came, as he found space in the area to pull the trigger, only to watch a powerful shot bounce back off the woodwork. Ibragimov followed up on the rebound, but his effort whistled over.

As the pitch dried in the August heat, United had to show grit to get the result over the line. Overy came up with a goalline clearance in injury time after Everton sub Ray Robert had headed over Byrne-Hughes.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Byrne-Hughes; Overy, McCormack, Mills, Kukonki; Thwaites; Ibragimov (c), Bailey (Shah 86); Abdoulaye, Ibrovic-Fletcher (Rooney 73), Gabriel (McEvoy 86).

Unused subs: Helafu, Heath.

Goals: Ibragimov 24 pen.

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