Manchester United’s u16s are in Hong Kong for the fifth annual Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit.
United’s long standing partnership with the Hong Kong Jockey Club sees the young players head to Hong Kong every summer for a week-long cultural and football exchange programme.
On Friday night, United took on an u18s Hong Kong Premier Youth League Select side of the best academy players across Hong Kong’s Premier League academies.
First half
Captained by Jacey Carrick, United came hot out of the gates with Silva Mexes providing early threat down the left wing.
Within the opening five minutes, Silva Mexes was taken down inside the box to earn United a penalty which was duly dispatched by Alfie Walker.
Four minutes later, the Hong Kong Select side leveled the scoring after United keeper Jake Ford lost his footing and slipped to give away the ball for an easy finish.
After a quick start, United slowed down in the Hong Kong humidity which allowed the Hong Kong Select’s forwards to hit on the counter with pace.
On one such occasion, Kai McGunnigle raced in past the United back line to fire into the bottom left corner to give Hong Kong Select a 2-1 lead.
Later in the half, the Scottish McGunnigle extended their lead when he bundled the ball in at the back post after a well taken corner.
Second half
United’s substitute Jaice Dore turned around the young Red Devils fortunes in the second half.
Still just 13 years old, Dore showed no fear as he dribbled past the much older opposition defenders.
After Dore was hacked down at the edge of the box, Carrick delivered the resulting free kick into the box which was side footed in by Jodie Nganga.
United’s celebrations were short lived though as the goal was ruled out for offside.
Into the 88th minute, Dore was taken down again as he skipped past his marker and into the box.
The foul was originally called as a free kick but VAR came to United’s aid to turn it into another penalty.
Dore stepped up to take himself and slid the ball into the bottom left corner.
90+1’ – Jaice Dore scores from the spot after winning the penalty himself #MUFC #MuAcademy pic.twitter.com/lxHpDjZo1p
— RedYouthUnited (@RedYouthUnited) August 15, 2025
VAR played its part again deep into stoppage time when the referee was sent to the monitor to award United’s third penalty of the match for another foul on Dore.
This time the foul left its mark on United’s mercurial talent as he was forced off with a limp.
Jaume Camacho stepped up this time to draw the score level at 3-3 and bring the match to penalties.
United won 4-3 on penalties to lift the shield with Louis Kibbalya providing the winning goal.
Manchester United u16s defeat Hong Kong Premier Youth League Select u18s on penalties #MUFC #MUAcademy pic.twitter.com/VI1g4HVEd9
— RedYouthUnited (@RedYouthUnited) August 15, 2025
Phil Jones was at the event in an ambassadorial role and presented the man of the match award to Hong Kong Select’s Cai McGunnigle
Up next
United will play a second match in Hong Kong on Sunday.
This time they will take on Hong Kong’s u16s national team.
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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.
