Skip to Main NavigationSkip to content
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:54
Manchester United Under-19s return to Old Trafford requiring a second-leg victory after a 2-1 defeat at AZ Alkmaar in Tuesday evening’s hard-fought UEFA Youth League encounter.
The young Reds qualified for the competition thanks to their English title triumph last season, and progressed through the second round with a convincing 11-2 aggregate dismantling of Lithuanian youth champions FK Zalgiris.
AZ, who were winners of the 2022/23 competition, offered a stern, physical test for Adam Lawrence’s charges.
United fans can help the Reds at Old Trafford. Academy staff and players will greatly appreciate any support, with tickets available now.
In a tightly contested first half, there was little penalty box action until an unfortunate 19th-minute error from the hosts’ Tristan Kuijsten. The AZ goalkeeper allowed Jeremiah Esajas’s back pass to travel beneath his foot and into the back of his own net.
United had been building some pressure in the moments approaching the mistake, with the young Reds’ first flowing move coming on 15 minutes, earning a succession of corners, most notably with Ethan Wheatley’s deflected shot. Lawrence’s side to pin AZ back, and earned just reward.
AZ re-asserted themselves into the game soon after, with the quick-footed Julian Oerip causing problems on the edge of United’s area. Habeeb Ogunneye, in his last action before going off injured, provided one excellent clearance, and fellow full-back Harry Amass offered another. Will Murdock made two necessary saves, too, though with comfort.
From one of the resulting corners, however, AZ benefitted as United failed to clear, with Yoel van den Ban providing the final touch to take it — just — over the line.
United were thankful for the half-time whistle, as AZ built momentum, with the lively Oerip drawing an excellent save from Murdock.
Wheatley celebrates after his pressing paid dividends for United’s opening goal.
A hard-fought and even duel continued after the break. Substitute Jaydan Kamason — who replaced the injured Ogunneye 31 minutes in — drove forward well from right-back before a rasping shot was turned wide. Ashton Missin’s left-footed effort inside the box was deflected away, while Murdock denied Jasper Hartog well at the other end.
Joeri Oud put in a goal-saving block for the hosts after another incident of pinball in the area and Jayce Fitzgerald’s effort after nice footwork was blocked wide.
Murdock provided another strong save from Oerip but AZ regained possession quickly and Bohdan Budko teed Kasper Boogard, who struck powerfully beyond United’s goalkeeper.
United’s response was immediate, with a fizzing ball across goal, but Wheatley was unable to reach it and turn it home.
Ethan Williams drives down the wing.
Gabriele Biancheri and Amir Ibragimov entered the fray as Lawrence’s final substitutions — Reece Munro and Bendito Mantato having already come on — and United tried to capitalise on tiring AZ legs.
After a neat move down the right wing, Kamason crossed with power for Biancheri but the Welsh forward couldn’t take the speed off it to keep it under the crossbar.
As United dominated the closing stages, Fitzgerald fizzed one wide of the left post while Fletcher’s dink dropped just beyond the right woodwork, but Lawrence’s team couldn’t find a deserved leveller.
MATCH DETAILS
United XI: Murdock; Ogunneye (Kamason 31), Jackson, Armer (Munro 46), Amass; Devaney, Fitzgerald; J. Fletcher; Missin (Mantato 60), Wheatley (Biancheri 72), Williams (Ibragimov 72).
Unused subs: Byrne-Hughes, Biancheri, Obi-Martin, Baumann.
Goals: Esajas og 19
Booked: Amass, Missin.
Catch up on our Academy documentary series:
Tuesday 26 November 2024 17:54
Back to Top
