Under-18s: Wolves v United

Manchester United’s Under-18s maintained their 100 per cent league record in the 2024/25 season with a 1-0 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday morning.

Jaydan Kamason’s 51st-minute goal was all that separated the two sides at the Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground.

United have now won all 11 of our league games thus far this season, scoring 47 goals and conceding just four.

Adam Lawrence’s side established a rhythm early in the game, dominating possession against a Wolves team operating a solid mid-block. The hosts allowed United much of the ball before pressing with some intensity as we entered their half.

The young Reds struggled to create chances of real note against this defence, but had two positive moments around the Wolves box. Jack Fletcher provided the first, showing good ball control to dribble past a couple of defenders and get a shot away, only for the out-rushing Josh Gracey to save. Jack was substituted later in the half with an injury, replaced by James Bailey.

On the left wing, Jim Thwaites hung an excellent cross towards the back post, but no United youngster was there to finish off.

Wolves came close shortly after Fletcher’s injury, with Saheed Olagunju — signed from Chelsea last summer — heading over from Min-kyu Ji’s cross.

“At half-time, we felt we needed to do better,” reflected lead coach Lawrence.

“We needed to be better recognising when we were going from one side of the pitch to the other. Speeding up the play, using one or two touches with some detail on the passes, and making sure we had more forward runs.

“We started the second half really well and played with more intent in terms of the speed of play and the forward runs off the ball. That set the tone until we scored and we definitely got the goal when we were on top and deserved it.”

Tyler Fletcher provided the inspiration for the goal, with a lovely round-the-corner pass opening space up for right-back Kamason to drive forward, at the goalkeeper, and finish.

United had further chances to extend our lead, with Jayce Fitzgerald nearly lobbing the goalkeeper from long range at one point, Victor Musa curling one narrowly wide and Bailey forcing a good save after nicking possession high up.

Wolves showed a resurgence in the final 10 minutes, having only really challenged at set pieces up until then, and their best chance fell to Reiss Bowen. His left-footed strike went over the crossbar, allowing us to hold on and keep another clean sheet, a ninth of the season from 14 games.

“It was a good test,” said Lawrence.

“I thought we managed the game well and took our lessons from the first half.”

United next take on Manchester City at Carrington.

“Next weekend it’s obviously a game the lads and everyone will be looking forward to. It’ll be a big test and another challenge but that’s what we want. We’ll enjoy today, have a day off tomorrow and then focus our minds next week. We actually have an Under-17s Premier League Cup quarter-final against Newcastle on Tuesday and then City on the Saturday, so it’s another good week to look forward to.”

The Saturday 1 February 11:00 GMT kick-off will be shown live on MUTV, with coverage scheduled to start five minutes before.

MATCH DETAILS

United XI: Murdock; Kamason, Munro (c), Armer, Plunkett (Mills 69); T. Fletcher, Fitzgerald; Thwaites, J. Fletcher (Bailey 39), Ibragimov (Bradbury 88); Musa.

Unused subs: Byrne-Hughes.

Goal: Kamason 51.

Recommended:

Back to Top