Manchester United u21s hosted rivals Manchester City at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday afternoon.
Travis Binnion’s side looked to continue their perfect start to the season after wins over Middlesbrough and Norwich City earlier this month.
First half
United started the match hot out of the gates with some early one-touch passing that opened a chance for James Scanlon that went just over the crossbar.
But it was the visitors who were the more threatening side through the early stages of the match. A charge from City’s Stephen Mfuni brought the ball up from the back 70 yards before he laid it off for a shot that forced an important block from Jacob Devaney.
Devaney made a number of interventions in the box throughout the match, including a goal line clearance just a minute later.
Will Murdock was then called into action when Jaydan Kamason’s loose back pass was stolen by Justin Oboavwoduo, who forced Murdock to make a finger tip save down to his left.
It wasn’t until later in the half that United found their feet and began to maintain spells of possession under the pressure of City’s physical prowess.
It was United’s pressure that led to the match’s breakthrough though. Jayce Fitzgerald forced Divine Mukasa to turn into trouble, which allowed Chido Obi to pounce to steal possession before running into the box and lifting the ball over Jack Wint in the City goal.
Chido Obi’s goal to put United ahead 1-0
— RedYouthUnited (@RedYouthUnited) August 31, 2025
Second half
United came out much improved in the second half as they showed increased composure in possession, which led to Jack Fletcher forcing a save early on after collecting the ball from Sam Mather.
The pair linked up well throughout the second half and combined again later on. Jack Fletcher burst into the box, but his effort off his weaker right foot wasn’t strong enough to really trouble the keeper.
Shea Lacey made his return to action in the 72nd minute after an injury layoff.
The mesmerising talent made an instant impact with a powerful strike that was tipped over the bay by the keeper.
Against the run of play, City counter-attacked through Reigan Heskey, whose pace saw him run through and finish past Murdock to level the scoring in the 77th minute.
Just six minutes later, United substitutes Lacey and Amir Ibragimov combined to snatch the victory.
Lacey pressed high to win possession initially before cutting inside his marker to cross the ball centrally. This was pushed away by Wint straight to Ibragimov, who finished into an open net.
The impressive victory makes it three wins from three for United, leaving them second in the Premier League 2 table behind Chelsea.
After the international break, United continue in the National League Cup, where they will travel to take on Brackley.
Match facts
United: Murdock; Kamason, Devaney (c), Armer, Mantato, T. Fletcher (Ibragimov 77), Fitzgerald (Lacey 72), Scanlon (Overy 88), J. Fletcher, Mather, Obi (Biancheri 88)
Unused subs: Musa
Goals: Obi 43, Ibragimov 83 | R. Heskey 76
Featured image Matt McNulty 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.
