United academy star scores 18th goal of the season to set up PL2 semi-final clash with Manchester City

Manchester United Under-21s took on Crystal Palace Under-21s on Monday night in the Premier League 2 playoff quarter-finals. It was the third meeting between the two clubs at youth level in recent weeks, after the Under-18s met the south-east London club in both the FA Youth Cup semi-final and the Premier League Cup final. Adam Lawrence’s side were bolstered by the return of loanees James Scanlon and Gabriele Biancheri, who both started on the bench. First half It was a tense affair from the starting whistle as both sides felt each other out, with a lot of physicality in the midfield but little in the way of openings at either end. The first real opening came when Jim Thwaites intercepted and played through to Chido Obi on the right side of the box, who had his effort tipped over the bar by Palace keeper Harry Lee. Shea Lacey looked to provide some quality in the final third when he dinked the ball between two defenders before bursting past another, as he got dragged down to earn a free kick. Lacey went for goal from the resulting free kick, which Lee parried into the ground and up for Dan Armer to react quickest and head home to give United the lead in the 39th minute. The home side had the ball in the net moments before the half-time whistle, but the referee was quick to call it off for a high boot in the face of Will Murdock. Second half United started the second half brighter in the final third. Jaydan Kamason teed up Jack Fletcher in the area just minutes after the restart, but the England youth international could not keep his effort off his weaker right boot on target. Jack Fletcher then played provider with a sensational cross-field pass to release Lacey on the right wing, who cut inside and forced a decent save. Shortly after, Lacey had another go with a curled attempt to the far corner, but it was cleared off the line by Craig Farquhar. In the 73rd minute, Godwill Kukonki went on a charging run 40 yards upfield before the move looked to break down, but Jack Fletcher was quick on the counter-press to regain possession and play to Chido Obi, who turned and finished excellently from the edge of the area. Tyler Fletcher’s interception then created another big chance for Obi, but Lee stood tall to push his chipped effort over the bar. Palace made a late charge to come back, with Hindolo Mustapha and David Angibeaud both drawing good saves from Murdock, but ultimately they were unable to beat the Northern Irish keeper on the day. United will now take on rivals Manchester City in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, the other semi-final will feature Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion. Match facts United: Murdock; Kamason, Aljofree (c), Armer, Kukonki; T. Fletcher, Thwaites (Moorhouse 67), J. Fletcher; Lacey, Obi (Biancheri 82), Musa (Scanlon 76). Unused subs: Byrne-Hughes, Leon. Goals: Armer 39, Obi 73 Booked: Thwaites, J. Fletcher Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Colm Murphy A football obsessed Canadian who moved to England to enjoy the beautiful game. Colm has been keen follower of Manchester United’s famed academy since seeing a fresh faced Adnan Januzaj for the club’s u18s and has been writing about football with a focus on youth development for over 10 years. You can follow him X: RedYouthUnited.