United’s academy stars give fans something to cheer for with commanding victory in cup match

Manchester United u18s opened their Premier League Cup campaign yesterday.

While the first team crashed out of the EFL Cup, Darren Fletcher’s u18s fared better in their cup fixture.

United hosted Brighton & Hove Albion at Carrington for a midday kick-off as they looked to recapture the Premier League Cup trophy United last won in 2024.

First half

United controlled the early exchanges, finding joy on the wings with the pace of Bendito Mantato and Samuel Lusale.

United peppered the Brighton box in the opening 15 minutes but were unable to threaten the goal as the Brighton defenders put their bodies on the line to make a series of blocks.

It was virtually one way traffic but it took until the final moments of the half for a breakthrough to be made.

Jim Thwaites’s delivery into the box from the left wasn’t cleared, allowing Godwill Kukonki to smash home from close range.

Second half

Brighton came out much improved in the second half with an intensity that looked like it would draw the match level.

They almost did pull it back through the son of United legend Rio Ferdinand.

Brighton’s captain Tate Ferdinand, had the chance on his head but couldn’t generate enough power to beat Fred Heath in the United goal.

United then doubled their lead in the 51st minute. An electric counter attack starting with Lusale saw the winger cross to Mantato, who controlled the ball down into the path of Amir Ibragimov to finish first-time into the bottom left corner.

Just two minutes later, the roles reversed as Mantato picked up the ball from Ibragimov before dancing inside past his marker and finishing past the keeper.

A remarkable five minutes was then rounded out by Lusale who burst past the defender on the left wing to come inside and make the score 4-0.

United cruised to the final whistle, Douka Nkoto and JJ Gabriel coming close to adding to the score line but were ultimately unable to find the net.

Elsewhere in their group, Middlesbrough defeated Birmingham City 2-1.

United will take on Middlesbrough away in their next group stage match in October but before then they head to Derby County on Saturday in league action.

Match facts

United: Heath; Helafu, Mills, Kukonki, Overy (J. Watson 62); Thwaites, Ibragimov (c), McEvoy (Nkoto 70); Mantato (Gabriel 62), Ibrovic-Fletcher (Rooney 70), Lusale

Unused subs: Z. Watson

Goals: Kukonki 45, Ibragimov 51, Mantato 53, Lusale 54

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