Young Reds feature as England win final

Laird was on hand to put England in front after 11 minutes, rising to head home from a free-kick, and if it wasn't for the frame of the goal in the second half, the defender could have scored a brace.

Garner had the opportunity to double his side's advantage from the penalty spot before half-time, but his effort failed to find the target. In the end, it was a spot-kick from Arsenal's Bukayo Saka with 15 minutes to play that secured a 2-1 victory for England, ensuring they would lift the trophy after a dominant display across the Lafarge Foot Avenir tournament, in which they won all three games.

Greenwood's involvement, meanwhile, was capped by him winning the award for the competition's best goal, scored in the opening win over the Netherlands.

The three young Reds will be hoping to be called up by Under-18s coach Neil Dewsnip again in October, when England will host a four-nation tournament at St. George's Park.

Congratulations to our Under-18s, who beat France 2-1 to win the @LafargeFoot tournament in Limoges tonight. 👏 #younglions pic.twitter.com/bi1w9wTKBr

— England (@England) September 9, 2018

GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT FOR GREENWOOD

It was also a successful day for forward Greenwood. While the 16-year-old did not appear on the scoresheet for England in the final, he was awarded the Goal of the Tournament for his strike that opened the scoring in the U18s' 3-0 win against Netherlands.

Greenwood has been in a rich vein of form early in the season for the Reds' Under-18s, managed by Neil Ryan. After being selected for the senior Tour 2018 squad, he has scored four goals in the Academy's first four games, including a brace against Derby County at the start of the campaign.

Greenwood will be aiming to emulate his impressive tally from last season, in which he netted 16 goals during United's U18 Premier League North title triumph under the management of Kieran McKenna.

As for Laird, it was a rare goal for the 17-year-old defender, with his last league goal for United coming against Liverpool towards the end of the previous campaign. He has impressed this season, though, producing a fine display against the Merseysiders, and will be aiming to help the U18s secure a first clean sheet of the season when he returns from international duty.

Garner, meanwhile, has had a successful few months in an England jersey. The Birkenhead-born midfielder was called up for the UEFA U17 European Championship early in the summer, where he made five appearances as the Three Lions reached the semi-finals of the competition, and later gained invaluable experience on United's pre-season tour of the USA.

RETURN TO DOMESTIC FOOTBALL

Ryan's side will be in action on each of the next three weekends and will be facing opponents who currently sit below them in the U18 Premier League North table. Blackburn Rovers visit the Aon Training Complex this weekend, before United travel down to the West Midlands to face West Bromwich Albion. The month will end with the U18s hosting Newcastle United.

The Under-23s, meanwhile, will be aiming to keep up their unbeaten start to the season as Ricky Sbragia's side host Reading this Friday at Old Trafford, before two away fixtures at Middlesbrough and Norwich City.