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Monday 05 May 2025 17:16
Manchester United’s Under-21s beat West Ham United 4-1 at Leigh Sports Village to secure a place in the last four of the Premier League 2’s play-off campaign.
Despite falling behind in the first half through Emeka Adiele, our young Reds performed valiantly to turn the game around during the second 45 minutes.
James Scanlon restored parity, before further goals from Ethan Wheatley, Sam Murray and Sam Mather ensured victory on a brisk afternoon.
It was a spirited display from United’s Under-21s.
There was an early scare as Godwill Kukonki gifted the ball to Adiele inside the opening minutes, but his effort was easily saved and gathered by Elyh Harrison.
Tyler Fletcher had his pocket-picked soon after, gifting the ball to Lewis Orford. His pass was inside to Adiele who, unlike his first attempt, slotted the ball home to make it 1-0 to the Hammers.
Sekou Kone’s tidy footwork saw United slip into the box but again, nothing further developed, as we approached an end to a actionless first period.
The second half was played at a much more frantic pace and it didn’t take long for Travis Binnion’s side to notch a leveller at Leigh.
A lovely flowing move gave United possession back and as Fletcher drove forward, he slid in Scanlon, before the Gibraltar international tucked home across Finlay Herrick to level the game.
As our confidence grew in the game, a great ball across the six-yard box from captain Habeeb Ogunneye failed to find a red shirt as we upped the ante.
On the hour mark, our young Reds notched again, with Fletcher an instigator once more. Ethan Wheatley rolled his man and fired past Herrick making it 2-1.
Ethan Wheatley celebrates after his goal against the Hammers.
Defender Murray stole back the ball before charging up the pitch on 78 minutes, and the full-back even found time to slam home a finish that did take a slight deflection, as our lead increased to three.
There was even time for one more, as Mather cut inside onto his right foot in added time, curling a delightful strike that sailed into the top corner.
Next up it’s Manchester City in the Premier League 2’s semi-finals, with further details on that fixture to be announced in due course.
MATCH DETAILS
United:
Harrison; Ogunneye, Jackson, Kukonki, Murray; Devaney (Rowe, 79), Kone (J.Fletcher, 90+3); Scanlon, T. Fletcher, Mather; Wheatley (Biancheri, 88).
Subs not used: Murdock, Rowe.
Goals: Scanlon 51, Wheatley 60, Murray 78, Mather 90+2.
Booked: Wheatley.
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Monday 05 May 2025 17:16
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