U18s: United v Blackburn

Having lost for the first time in the league last weekend, at rivals Manchester City, the young Reds returned to winning ways with a 5-2 victory over Rovers.

After going 2-0 down inside 40 minutes, Bendito Mantato levelled with strikes either side of the half-time break, before two more from the winger and a Victor Musa finish put United out of sight.

Lorenze Mullarkey-Matthews struck the inside of the post within the first 10 minutes, before United goalkeeper Thomas Myles miscontrolled Harry Amass’ back-pass and the ball rolled into the net to give the visitors the lead.

Junior Nsangou’s shot on the bounce found the bottom left corner with six minutes of the half remaining, before Mantato’s marauding run and finish halved the arrears moments before the break.

United were level 47 seconds after the restart, when Mantato swept home after Gabriele Biancheri’s pull-back was palmed back into his path.

Musa put us in front for the first time on 54 minutes - mere moments after Biancheri had an effort cleared off the line - tapping home from Amir Ibragimov’s ball across goal.

Mantato got his hat-trick just after the hour mark with a follow-up, and latched onto a Musa through ball to finish for his fourth - and United's fifth - of the game in the latter stages.

Our Under-18s return to domestic action in three weeks, when we face North West rivals Liverpool away.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Myles, Kamason (Thwaites 76), Nolan, Jackson (c), Amass, Devaney, Curley, Ibragimov (Williams 60), Mantato, Musa, Biancheri (Armer 76).

Subs not used: Harrison, Wheatley.

Goals: Mantato 41, 46, 66, 79, Musa 54 | Amass (OG, 22), Nsangou 39.