Academy Weekly: Proud FA Youth Cup finalists

Also in the last seven days at the Academy, the Under-18s secured their spot in the FA Youth Cup final with a convincing victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford and the same team took part in a dramatic 5-5 draw away at Liverpool.

Midfielder James Garner celebrated his 21st birthday with a win at loan club Nottingham Forest while Zidane Iqbal, who recently represented Iraq at senior level, attended an anniversary event for the PFA’s Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme at St. George’s Park.

Here’s everything you need to know...

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Academy Mental Health Awareness Month

This initiative was launched at the start of March with the intention of raising awareness and encouraging conversation around mental health amongst players and staff.

First-team interim manager Ralf Rangnick and captain Harry Maguire have both shown their support for the campaign, with the latter acting as ambassador for the month. You can find out more details on the initiative in the article below. 

Last week, mental health awareness training was delivered to parents of Academy players, assisting them in offering help to their children. Support was also given to staff across the club to help guide them in promoting mental health and wellbeing within their own departments.

This week’s theme is 'being active' as a way to improving our wellbeing. Staff are invited to take part in yoga, a 5k a day 5 day challenge, a staff Kwik Cricket match and a cage football match, with the emphasis on recognising the benefits of being active to our daily lives and wellbeing.

Under-18s reach FA Youth Cup final

Travis Binnion's side will host either Nottingham Forest or Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup final after defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 at Old Trafford last Wednesday night.

It’s a fantastic achievement for the side, who are the first United team to reach the final of this prestigious competition since 2011. United are the most successful club in FA Youth Cup history, with 10 titles to our name, and the Academy are proud of what Binnion’s team have achieved already.

For full match details, head here. Further information on the date, time and tickets for the final will be communicated when possible.

Under-18s in stunning comeback

A flurry of second-half goals saw United come from behind to draw 5-5 with Liverpool away from home on Saturday morning.

The hosts headed in front when Lee Jonas met Luca Stephenson’s cross. After Omari Forson’s header had been saved by Mrozek, Harvey Blair cut inside and doubled Liverpool’s lead with an excellent curled shot from outside the box.

Ethan Ennis found one in reply for United in first-half added time. Logan Pye played him in well and a poked, outside-of-the-boot finish from Ennis from a tight angle reduced the deficit.

Liverpool’s three-goal advantage was restored just after the hour mark at 4-1, with Bobby Clark first finishing off a quick counter-attack and then Oakley Cannonier converting from close range.

Willy Kambwala headed in Sam Murray’s left-footed right-wing cross at the far post and straight from kick-off, substitute Sam Mather and Joe Hugill won possession back, the latter finishing to make the scoreline 4-3.

Hopes of completing the comeback could have disappeared when Clark scored his second, assisted by Isaac Mabaya, but United persisted. Dan Gore’s labyrinthine run set up Ennis to score on the left-side of the box.

With only seconds of normal time remaining, Hugill completed a brace and levelled the score, tapping home from a Kobbie Mainoo pull-back.

Nick Cox, Head of Academy, said: “A different type of game from last Wednesday but just as much learnt. Some important qualities on display. Never say die, play to the end, run, fight, stick together, create, entertain.”

Liverpool U18s: Mrozek, Mabaya, Scanlon, Miles, Jonas, Stephenson (Davidson, 63), Blair (Lucky, 75), Pilling, Cannonier, McConnell, Clark.

United XI: Hanbury; Ogunneye, Kambwala, Bennett (c), Pye (Murray); Ennis, Oyedele, Mainoo, Forson (Gore); Norkett (Mather), Hugill.

Liverpool goals: Jonas 14, Blair 33, Clark 51, 76, Cannonier 63.

United goals: Ennis 45+2, 81, Kambwala 69, Hugill 70, 89.

Zidane Iqbal attends PFA AIMS anniversary

The Professional Footballers’ Association’s Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme (AIMS) celebrates its one-year anniversary this month. The programme seeks to help nurture elite South Asian footballers, helping them to progress through academies all over the country.

18-year-old Iqbal made his United first team debut in December’s UEFA Champions League home draw against BSC Young Boys. He has since made his senior international debut for Iraq. Zidane is involved with AIMS and thus benefits from advice provided by more senior South Asian players, while he also helps to mentor younger kids at clubs up and down the country.

“It’s a good scheme,” he told us.

“There’s loads of kids that I’m in touch with, and there’s also first-team pros that I’m in touch with so I speak to them whenever I’m down or I need some help and they give me some advice.

“And for the kids when they contact me just for a quick chat or a game of FIFA or anything, it’s just good to be in contact.

“There’s a few my age who I speak to a lot and a couple of times a year we’ll meet up in a footballing venue and, you know, just enjoy, play football, speak, have a laugh. It’s good.

“Football is for hard work and dedication. It's a game for everyone.”

Loan watch

For a full lowdown on our how loanees have fared over the last week, read here.

James Garner celebrated his 21st birthday with a 4-0 win for Nottingham Forest over Reading.

Teden Mengi returned to the Birmingham City squad after an injury has kept him out of action for several weeks. He was an unused sub as the St. Andrew’s side drew 0-0 with Hull City. Tahith Chong played the whole match, while Di’Shon Bernard was an unused sub for the Tigers.

Matej Kovar was an unused sub for Burton Albion at home to Fleetwood Town, Ethan Galbraith played the full match for Doncaster Rovers in a 1-0 loss against Gillingham, and Brandon Williams played two full games for Norwich City as they suffered 3-1 and 2-1 defeats to Chelsea and Leeds United respectively.

COMING UP THIS WEEK

League fixtures

United’s Under-23s travel to Elland Road on Tuesday night to take on Leeds United in Premier League 2. The first team’s fixture against Atletico Madrid means live coverage will be limited, but we’ll bring you match details, reaction and highlights when possible. Later in the week, Neil Wood’s side host Everton in a Friday night Old Trafford fixture. Both games kick-off at 19:00 GMT.

The Under-18s host Leeds United on Saturday morning at Carrington in an 11:00 GMT kick-off. That match will be shown live on MUTV.

International call-ups

Several Academy players will receive international call-ups this week. England's youth squads will be announced throughout Friday morning. We'll update you on all of the inclusions for our young Reds in next week's edition of Academy Weekly.