U21s: United v Southampton

Saturday 14 December 2024 14:23

Manchester United Under-21s achieved a 5-1 victory over Southampton in our Premier League 2 meeting at Carrington on Saturday afternoon.

Tyler Fletcher opened the scoring with a well-crafted volley from outside the box, which looped over the Saints’ defence and beyond goalkeeper Adli Mohamed.

Dan Gore doubled our lead after half an hour with a drilled finish from a similar spot, giving the young Reds a nice cushion heading into the interval.

Goals by Ethan Wheatley and Jack Moorhouse (2) after half-time proved enough to see off any potential comeback arising from Baylee Dipepa’s second-half header.

Tyler Fletcher opened the scoring with a creative volley.

The game kicked off with a relatively even battle in the opening moments, but it was Travis Binnion’s side who struck first through Fletcher.

Sam Murray won his aerial duel from a corner and managed nod the ball back out to Fletcher on the edge of the box, who volleyed the ball into the floor, sending it looping over the Saints’ defence and past the goalkeeper.

Ethan Wheatley had an opportunity to double the lead from the spot, following a trip by Southampton defender Jayden Moore on Moorhouse, but goalkeeper Mohamed got a strong foot on our striker’s attempt to send it behind for a corner.

It wouldn’t be long until the young Reds did deal a second blow, however, with Dan Gore drilling his goalbound shot from a similar position to the opener.

United didn’t waste any time extending our lead following the break. Gore turned provider for the third, playing a well-weighted pass for Moorhouse to run onto, which he did, slotting his finish around an onrushing Mohamed.

Gore had involvement in the fourth, too, this time teeing up Wheatley to curl a shot beyond the grasp of the Saints’ gloveman just short of the hour mark.

Simon Rusk’s side did manage to reduce their arrears shortly after Wheatley’s goal, with a smart delivery from Brandon Charles finding the head of Baylee Dipepa, but it would prove too late for the visitors to mount a comeback.

The young Reds signed off in style thanks to Moorhouse, whose snaking stoppage-time run inside the box allowed him to add his second, United’s fifth and the final goal of the afternoon.

A strong team effort from the young Reds at Carrington.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Mee; Ogunneye (Kamason 72), Jackson, Kingdon, Murray; Gore; Moorhouse, T.Fletcher (McAllister 62); Sharpe (Ennis 62), Wheatley (Biancheri 72), Missin.

Unused subs: Rowe.

Goals: T.Fletcher 14, Gore 32, Moorhouse 53, 90+2, Wheatley 57 | Dipepa 62.