U18s: United v Middlesbrough

First-half strikes from James Scanlon and Ashton Missin put the young Reds in control, before Ethan Wheatley’s close-range finish on the hour mark made sure of the three points for Adam Lawrence’s side.

The scoring was opened in the 12th minute after good work between Wheatley and James Nolan, as the ball deflected kindly into the path of Scanlon, who converted first time beyond opposition goalkeeper Nathan Fisher from close range.

Missin made it two eight minutes later. After holding the ball up deep in his own half, he then finished off a fine team move at the other end of the pitch - receiving the ball on the edge of the box before shooting brilliantly through a defender’s legs to find the far corner.

A deserved United third came with an hour played, as Jacob Devaney slid a cutting pass down the right flank for Finley McAllister to deliver across the face, with Wheatley on hand to slot home at the back post.

Injuries to Jack Kingdon and Missin in the second half, after United had already brought all four of their outfield players off the bench, saw young goalkeeper Cameron Byrne-Hughes introduced to the action in an unfamiliar outfield role for the final moments.

Despite ending the game with 10 men, after Middlesbrough had hit the post and had two efforts ruled out for offside in the second half, United did well to hold on to the clean sheet to cap an impressive win.

The Under-18s are back at Carrington next weekend against Crystal Palace in another U18 Premier League clash.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Myles; Nolan, Jackson (Munro 66), Kingdon, Amass (Kamason 61); McAllister, Devaney (Baumann 61); Musa (Biancheri 66), Scanlon, Missin (Byrne-Hughes 86); Wheatley.

Goals: Scanlon 12, Missin 20, Wheatley 60.

Booked: Devaney.