United talent on the brink of the first team scores matchwinner for u21s against senior opposition

Manchester United u21s travelled to take on Notts County in their final EFL Trophy group stage match this evening. After losing their opening two matches in the competition, United needed a win to have any chance of advancing from the group. First half United started off by taking control of possession in the match but it was the home side, Notts County, who had the first big chance. Maziar Khouyar cut in from the right wing before bending the ball towards the top left corner, which forced a save from Will Murdock at full stretch. United took the lead on the half-hour mark through a wonderful strike by Shea Lacey. Chido Obi shrugged off his marker before looping a pass into the path of Lacey to take a touch and strike low past the keeper at the near post. Lacey was United’s main threat through the half and his goal sent United into the break with a 0-1 lead. Second half Notts County banged on the door for an equaliser early in the second half, but two key bits of intervention from Diego Leon ensured United maintained their clean sheet. Captain Jacob Devaney doubled the lead in the 54 minute with a spectacular goal. Devaney carried the ball over 50 yards through the heart of Notts County before slotting into the bottom right corner from 20 yards out. The goal put the home side to the sword as they limped through the rest of that match with little intensity. United substitute Amir Ibragimov wasn’t one to let the match see a boring finish though as he sparked life into a match that looked like pre-season match at times. Ibragimov’s driving runs and one-touch football with Lacey had the United travelling fans off their seats shouting ole. Despite the refreshing football on display, United were unable to extend their lead. Ibragimov forced a save from the keeper and Gabriele Biancheri saw a couple of his efforts blocked. The win pushes United above Notts County in the group but still in third. They await the outcome of final match in the group, which will require a six goal difference swing for United to leap above Barnsley into second. Travis Binnion’s team aren’t in action again until after the international break on 25th November when they travel to Solihull Moors in the National League Cup. Match facts United: Murdock; Helafu (Ibragimov 67), Armer, Kukonki, Leon; Fitzgerald (Kone 90+3), Devaney; Scanlon, T.Fletcher, Lacey; Obi (Biancheri 67) Subs not used: Heath, Mills, McAllister, Musa. Booked: Helafu, Leon. Goals: Lacey 29, Devaney 54. Featured image Lewis Storey 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.