Academy Weekly: Graduates shine, FA Youth Cup progress

Coming up this week are two games shown live on MUTV, with the Under-23s in action on Friday afternoon and the Under-18s playing on Saturday morning.

In case you missed it, here’s everything you need to know about the past week at the Academy...

ACADEMY GRADUATE ACHIEVEMENTS

Anthony Elanga was praised for his composure and drive as he impressed from the start for United against Aston Villa in Saturday’s Premier League fixture. Ralf Rangnick and Bruno Fernandes both complimented the Swedish winger on his performance. Mason Greenwood also started that game, forcing several good saves from Emiliano Martinez, as he made his 22nd appearance of the season.

Away from United, Tom Lawrence scored a fantastic double to help Wayne Rooney’s Derby County achieve an eighth league win of the season. The result takes them off the bottom of the table and nine points from safety. The Rams suffered a 21-point deduction at the start of the season, but have created hope of staying up with a series of good results.

Elsewhere in the Championship, 27-year-old Joe Rothwell scored the decisive goal for in-form Blackburn Rovers as they beat Cardiff City 1-0 to stay third in the league.

Kieran Lee scored for Bolton Wanderers in their victory against Ipswich Town at the weekend. Kieran spent time at Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday after his time in the United Academy. Now 33, the midfielder has made 21 appearances, contributing four goals and four assists. Will Keane was another graduate among the goals in League One this weekend, helping Wigan to a 2-1 win against Doncaster Rovers.

Jack Harrison, who spent seven years at the Academy before heading to the USA, scored a hat-trick for Leeds United in Sunday’s Premier League win against West Ham. There are, of course, many, many other graduates playing at the highest level across Europe each weekend.

FA YOUTH CUP VICTORY

Manchester United will host Everton in the FA Youth Cup fifth round after a comfortable away victory over Reading on Thursday night.

The Under-18s showed their ruthless streak as goals from Kobbie Mainoo, Sam Mather and Charlie McNeill gave the Reds a three-goal lead by half-time.

Reading had shown attacking promise in the opening 45 minutes, while United’s play was not quite so fluent as in previous games, but Travis Binnion's side ruthlessly capitalised on the Royals' mistakes.

Reading got themselves a deserved goal back in the 82nd minute as Ashton Greaver thrashed home a loose ball in the box.

Head here for full analysis from Travis Binnion, who was pleased with his side’s defensive efforts but outlined several areas to improve upon.

Full match details and ticket information for our fifth round game will be communicated in due course.

DERBY DEFEAT IN PL2

Joe Hugill’s second-half goal wasn’t enough to start a comeback as United’s Under-23s suffered a disappointing derby defeat at Manchester City’s Academy Stadium.

The Reds limited the Blues' chances early on but the floodgates opened temporarily around the half-hour mark as the hosts scored thrice in quick succession. James McAtee scored the first, converting a penalty he’d won himself. Kayky, a Brazilian forward who joined City last year, doubled that lead by intercepting a pass from Matej Kovar and finishing excellently into the bottom left corner. Oscar Bobb made it three, taking full advantage of another loose ball in the box.

The Reds managed to stem the tide there and improved after the break. Shola Shoretire pounced on a rare defensive mistake from City and set up Hugill, who duly converted the chance.

UNDER-18S POSTPONED

The Under-18s side faced further fixture frustration as Saturday morning’s scheduled match at West Bromwich Albion was called off for a second time. Originally due to be played in November, the rescheduled game was postponed with pitches frozen over at the Baggies’ training ground. New match details and information will be communicated when possible.

LOAN WATCH

Brandon Williams contributed a fine assist for Norwich City as the Canaries secured a vital and surprise 2-1 win against Everton on Saturday in the Premier League.

Teden Mengi made his second start for Birmingham City as they drew 1-1 with Preston North End in the Championship. While the on-pitch lessons form the core of any loan move, the experiences off-the-pitch are just as important in shaping character. That includes dealing with the media and the 19-year-old spoke to Birmingham’s club media after the game.

"We fought until the end and gave everything today." - @TedenMengi! 🙌

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) January 15, 2022

James Garner started in central midfield for Nottingham Forest as Lewis Grabban came up with another late goal for Steve Cooper’s side, this time downing Millwall away from home in the process.

Ethan Laird was not involved for new club AFC Bournemouth in an away defeat at Luton Town. Hatters manager Scott Parker said the match was “probably a little bit too early” for Laird and the full-back “still needs time on the grass and time with us” before starting games.

He later explained further: "Ethan has come with a bit of an issue, which isn’t too serious but we need to tread carefully with that so we don’t want to push too much.”

In League One, Ethan Galbraith assisted Doncaster’s goal in their 2-1 defeat to Wigan and in League Two, D’Mani Mellor was an unused substitute for Salford City.

Earlier last week, Axel Tuanzebe made his second appearance for SC Napoli as they were beaten 5-2 by Fiorentina.

COMING UP THIS WEEK

The Under-23s travel to Brighton on Friday for an afternoon (14:00 GMT) kick-off at The Amex Elite Football Peformance Centre. The match will be shown live on MUTV.

The Under-18s play on Saturday, hosting Everton at Carrington in an 11:00 GMT kick-off. That game will also be shown live on MUTV.