Manchester United U18s returned to league action on Saturday for the first time since the New Year, travelling to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
United took control of the game in the early proceedings, enjoying majority of the possession against a deep-lying Wolves U18 side but the young Red Devils struggled to create clear-cut chances throughout the half.
Jack Fletcher provided one of the bright sparks with a mazy run through a couple of Wolves defenders before his shot was saved by opposition keeper, Josh Gracey.
Unfortunately, Fletcher’s day ended soon after when his studs got caught in the turf, leaving him down injured and forced to come off.
It is unclear yet as to the seriousness of the midfielder’s injury but he was seen leaving the pitch later on in a protective boot and using crutches.
With the score locked at 0-0 heading into the second half, it was Jack’s brother Tyler who provided the inspiration for the only goal of the match.
Tyler Fletcher slipped through a delicate pass to feed Jaydan Kamason on the right side, who drove into the box to finish past the keeper expertly.
Jayce Fitzgerald almost doubled the lead with an audacious lobbed attempt from long range when he spotted the keeper off the line but it did not come off.
Victor Musa and James Bailey then threatened before Wolves fought back in the dying stages in search of a point but striker Reiss Bowen couldn’t keep his effort on target when the chance eventually came.
United kept a clean sheet to secure the win and make it 11 wins from 11 in the league so far this season.
After the match, coach Adam Lawrence said, “It was a good test, I thought we managed the game well and took our lessons from the first half.”
United currently sit second in the table, one point behind Manchester City despite having won every match due to City playing two more games.
The two sides meet next week in the Manchester derby, which will be a battle for the top spot.
Lawrence added, “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.”
United: Murdock, Kamason, Munro (c), Armer, Plunkett (Mills 69), T. Fletcher, Fitzgerald, Thwaites, J. Fletcher (Bailey 39), Ibragimov (Bradbury 88), Musa
Unused subs: Byrne-Hughes
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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.
