Academy Weekly: Three-game week for U18s

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Travis Binnion’s U18s continue to warm up for the big day with a jam-packed April fixture schedule. Off the back of a 6-0 weekend victory over Newcastle United, the young Reds now face a three-game week, with league fixtures against Blackburn Rovers, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Derby County in the space of five days.

“We’ve got a fully-fit squad and they all want to be playing, so there’s no better opportunity than two games in two days,” Binnion told us.

“It’ll be a good test, both games will be a good test, and we’ll see how we go.”

Here’s more information on that and everything else you need to know from the last seven days...

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

U23s draw at Old Trafford

Neil Wood’s team enjoyed a third Old Trafford experience of the season last Friday night, coming from behind to draw against a high-quality Arsenal side.

When the sides first met this season in early September, the Gunners ran out 3-1 winners. That United were fully deserving of a point, and perhaps more, shows the development made by this team. Mika Biereth had tapped home after 29 minutes for the visitors, but Noam Emeran’s cool finish - after a defence-splitting Shola Shoretire pass - levelled things shortly after half-time.

U18s defeat Newcastle

Off the back of a midweek defeat to Burnley, United came out of the blocks strong at home to Newcastle. Mather shot wide, Jurado headed over and Hansen’s shot was saved before Omari Forson opened the scoring. There would be plenty more chances, and United would score five of them. Watch the full highlights below.

“I think in the last three games we’ve left chances out there or not quite done enough in the final third for our dominance of possession [to pay off],” Travis Binnion said.

“So today was pleasing that we’ve probably made up for the last three games in terms of the chances we have taken. Obviously multiple goalscorers, and I have to say I thought Charlie McNeill was excellent, he’ll be disappointed he’s not scored but his all-round play and even in the sixth goal there, his little reverse pass to Ethan Ennis. It’s really intelligent, and that’s what we want to see from players, working for the team, not for themselves.

“A really dominant display and some goals to cap it off.”

Loan watch

Despite opening the scoring with his fourth goal of the season, Dylan Levitt faced disappointment on Sunday as his Dundee United side were beaten 3-2 by Hearts in the Scottish Premiership Championship group.

Fellow midfielder James Garner put in a similarly good performance as Nottingham Forest managed a 1-0 away win at Peterborough, bolstering their bids for promotion to the Premier League.

Also in the Championship, right-back Ethan Laird made his second consecutive start for Bournemouth, as the Cherries drew 1-1 with already-promoted Fulham.

Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar played the full 90 for Burton Albion, as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side fell to a 2-0 defeat away to Doncaster Rovers.

A first-half goal from Joe Dodoo broke Kovar’s four-match clean-sheet streak and Josh Martin added a second after half-time to seal the points for the hosts.

For more details on our loanees’ progress, head to our full Sunday round-up.

COMING UP THIS WEEK

Three-game week

Blackburn Rovers are up first for our U18s. The Lancashire side come to Altrincham on Tuesday night for the 19:00 BST kick-off.

Less than 24 hours after that, a much-changed side will take on Wolves away at Aggborough Stadium in a 13:00 BST kick-off. Both matches are scheduled to be live on MUTV.

The third and final game of the week comes in the regular Saturday lunchtime slot as Derby visit Carrington in a midday start.

U23s end league campaign

Neil Wood’s side travel to Liverpool on Sunday and will wrap up their season in the 14:00 BST kick-off. With regards to league position, the team is currently fourth in Premier League 2 and would guarantee a top-five finish with victory.