Manchester United U18s took on Aston Villa at Villa park on Monday night in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals.
It was a nightmare start for Adam Lawrence’s side as they conceded just three minutes into the match.
A free-kick shot straight at the wall fell kindly to Trai-Varn Mulley, who poked the ball past an onrushing Will Murdock in the United goal.
The dream start for @AVFCOfficial in the #FAYouthCup!
Trai-Varn Mulley finishes cooly 🤩 pic.twitter.com/PjcG6knBPd
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 31, 2025
The rest of the half was near enough one-way traffic in the opposite direction. The first real chance for United fell for Jack Fletcher who had a half volley blocked before Chido Obi lashed a wild attempt well wide.
The chances were there though and United levelled it in the 24th minute. Jacob Devaney clipped the ball into Tyler Fletcher running into the box who managed to turn it back for James Scanlon to smash in for his 21st goal of the season in all competitions.
James Scanlon for @ManUtd! 🔴
The @GibraltarFA international gives his club a vital moment in the #FAYouthCup 🇬🇮 pic.twitter.com/MBEHVVDFjh
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 31, 2025
Late in the half, a poor pass at the back from Devaney gave Villa a counter attack which ended with Murdock tripping up the forward to concede a penalty. Fortunately, the Villa skipper Aidan Borland sent his spot-kick well wide of the right post.
Just before the break, Obi drove through before slowing down to pick out Tyler Fletcher at the edge of the box whose low effort struck the left post and trickled wide.
Chido Obi and Tyler Fletcher combine well, but Fletcher’s effort hits the post for @ManUtd 😯 pic.twitter.com/juuLcawA1b
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 31, 2025
Into the second half, both sides exchanged big chances early on with their keepers to thank for keeping it at 1-1.
Murdock denied former United trialist Mason Cotcher from point-blank range before Obi struck from close range straight at the Villa keeper.
Zach Baumann came off the bench and thought he had provided the winner when his long range effort took a deflection towards the goal but Sam Proctor did excellently to readjust his feet and push the ball out for a corner.
From the resulting corner, Obi rose to head off the post as it seemed it would be one of those nights for the young reds as it remained 1-1 going into extra time.
Chido Obi is denied by the post 😲 pic.twitter.com/g1jEUlCqbd
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 31, 2025
Lawrence threw caution to the wind with his substitutions but the move looked to affect United and Villa looked the more likely to score in extra time but for a couple of great saves by Murdock.
Ultimately, neither side could find the winner leaving it up to penalties.
United went first but Jim Thwaites’ effort was saved before Scanlon dispatched United’s second shot to tie it back up at 1-1.
But further misses from Amir Ibragimov and Baumann gave the home side a 3-1 win on penalties, devastatingly knocking United out of the FA Youth Cup.
United will have to switch their focus back to the U18 league where they take on Leeds United on Saturday.
United: Murdock, Kamason, Munro, Armer, Kukonki (Lusale 90), Devaney (c) (Baumann 56), T. Fletcher (Ibragimov 103), J. Fletcher (Thwaites 72), Scanlon, Obi, Biancheri (Mantato 61)
Unused subs: Byrne-Hughes, Musa
Feature image Dan Mullan via Getty Images
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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.
