United’s “mesmerising” 18-yo scored a wondergoal to keep the u-21s top of the table as Carrick watched on

Manchester United U21s hosted Brighton & Hove Albion U21s on Monday afternoon in Premier League 2 action. Michael Carrick was present to watch the match as Shea Lacey started after missing out on the first team squad against Arsenal. The youngsters were also cheered on by a number of first team players, including Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee, Patrick Dorgu and Toby Collyer, who watched the match at Carrington. First Half The visitors started the match as the livelier of the two sides, with Harry Mills forcing an early fingertip save from Will Murdock. Murdock was called into action soon after when former United academy player Nehemiah Oriola set up Joe Belmont for a strike that was pushed out of danger by Murdock. Tyrell Malacia continued to regain fitness with the U21s and went on a marauding run down the left channel before crossing low to Jaydan Kamason, who had his effort on goal blocked. Hot off the back of a brace in his last U21s appearance, Lacey gave United the lead in the 34th minute with a curled free-kick that nestled into the bottom left corner. Second Half Early in the second half, Lacey came close to doubling his tally when he struck the ball off the outside of the right post from a wide angle. James Scanlon then rounded the keeper, who came rushing out to the wing, but the Gibraltar international could not find Welsh striker Gabriele Biancheri with his cross. Jack Fletcher drew a big save from Nils Ramming after being played into the box by Jayce Fitzgerald, and the Brighton defender then hastily cleared before Kamason could capitalise on the rebound. Despite the chances coming United’s way, it was Brighton who levelled the score in the 70th minute. Forcing a turnover high up the pitch, Brighton made United pay as the backline was out of position and Kofi Shaw slid the ball past Murdock as the pair collided in the box. Shaw raced in behind again shortly after but opted to pass to Sean Keogh this time, whose snatched effort went wide. Brighton almost gifted United a winner late on when Fitzgerald stole the ball from the keeper and shot towards the open goal, but it was blocked off the line and onto the post before Jacob Devaney’s effort was also blocked. The final whistle came with the score still deadlocked at 1-1. United remain top of the table in Premier League 2, but three clubs trail behind within just three points. Match Facts United: Murdock; Kamason, Munro, Aljofree, Malacia; Devaney, Fitzgerald (Sharpe 83), J. Fletcher; Lacey, Biancheri (Obi 75), Scanlon. Unused subs: Byrne-Hughes, Jackson, Leon. Goals: Lacey 35. Feature image Carl Recine 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.