Both our most senior Academy sides have plenty to play for as we approach the season’s conclusion, after a high-scoring weekend at Carrington and Leigh Sports Village.
UNDER-18s PUT 13 PAST LEEDS
Manchester United responded to FA Youth Cup semi-final heartbreak with a ruthless league victory over Leeds at Carrington on Saturday lunchtime.
Captain Victor Musa scored a first-half double hat-trick, with Jim Thwaites also netting three, in an utterly dominant display from Adam Lawrence’s young Reds.
Leeds offered greater resistance after the break and scored through Kenneth Mensah, although only after James Bailey had thumped one home to reach double digits. Dan Armer and Gabriel — an U14 on as a substitute — brought up United's dozen late on, with the latter scoring twice.
Victory and three points keeps United in the U18 Premier League North title race. Lawrence's side trail Manchester City by five points, but have a game in hand on the Blues, who defeated Wolves on Saturday.
UNDER-21s HELD BY FOREST
After 14 goals on Saturday, a further six were hit in front of a 700-strong crowd at Leigh Sports Village on Monday night. This time, they were more evenly shared.
Bendito Mantato put United ahead against Nottingham Forest just three minutes in before the visitors’ first response. Chido Obi netted from a Mantato assist to re-establish the Reds’ advantage before the break. A fine Obi solo goal further extended the lead only for Forest to claw two back late on through Kyle McAdam and Adam Berry. Watch highlights below.
U21s LIVE ON FRIDAY NIGHT
After Monday’s entertaining draw at home, you can watch our young Reds on the road when they play Reading on Friday night. Live coverage on MUTV begins five minutes before the 19:00 BST kick-off. Subscribe now to watch.
CATCH UP ON KEY CONTENT
In case you missed it, here are some key features released in recent weeks.
With insight from Nick Cox, director of Academy, and Rhys Bennett, a defender currently on loan at Fleetwood Town, this feature answers the question: “Why do young United players go out on loan?”
Meanwhile, focusing in more closely on goalkeepers, we spoke to Tommy Lee — Academy goalkeeping coach — to discuss United’s strong history in the loans department for those between the sticks.
This video looks at the pre-Academy’s annual Culture Day, or you can read about why Sir Alex Ferguson was back with the youth set-up recently here.
COMING UP
As well as Friday’s U21s game live on MUTV, the U18s are in action on Saturday away at Nottingham Forest. The game is not being shown live but we’ll have updates and reaction for you on the United App.
MUTV INFO AT A GLANCE
Friday 11 April | Reading v UNITED U21s | 19:00 | Live on MUTV | Tickets available here
Saturday 12 April | Nottingham Forest v UNITED U18s | 12:00 | Not live on MUTV
Monday 14 April | Wolves v UNITED U21s | 19:00 | Not live on MUTV | Tickets available here
Friday 18 April | UNITED U18s v Derby | 12:00 | Live on MUTV