How our young Reds won the Under-18 PL North title

It's been a memorable season for Adam Lawrence's team, racking up 19 wins out of 22 so far, losing only once. The impressive run to the title included a strong 17-game unbeaten streak.

With 33 different players contributing to our league campaign, the Under-18s' success has truly been a collective effort. All of them will have learned many valuable lessons, and with two more league games and the Under-18 Premier League Cup final still to be played, there are further opportunities for this young side - with an average age of 17.4 years old - to continue a season of massive development.

Take a look back at what has been a fruitful campaign for our Under-18s so far, on and off the pitch...

START AS YOU MEAN TO GO ON

Our Under-18s raised the curtain on the 2023/24 season with a big 4-0 victory at Middlesbrough, as James Nolan and Ethan Williams got on the scoresheet along with Louis Jackson, who netted a brace.

Fourteen days later, the young Reds netted four again, this time winning 4-1 away at Stoke City. Jack Moorhouse opened the scoring with James Scanlon and Gabriele Biancheri making it 3-0 before an own goal was added to our tally. The Potters got a consolation but August ended with our Under-18s in impressive form.

GROWING AS PLAYERS, AND PEOPLE

This run of form continued into the following months, while other development opportunities were afforded to the team in the UEFA Youth League.

The European competition's Under-19 requirement gave more Reds the chance to gain experience by facing the likes of Galatasaray, Copenhagen and Bayern Munich's youth sides, travelling to Istanbul, Copenhagen and Munich as well as taking them on in front of crowds at Leigh Sports Village.

Despite falling to a narrow defeat at Wolves in the group stage of the Under-18 Premier League Cup, Lawrence's team continued to pick up wins in the league, ending 2024 in advantageous positions in all three domestic competitions. 

'CHALLENGE IS KEY FOR DEVELOPMENT'

"It is a tough challenge [to be in our Academy], but the challenge is an amazing one because striving for excellence brings about an amazing amount of personal growth and the academy process is one that can be life-changing."

Those are the words of Nick Cox, our Director of Academy, and that statement rings true when it comes to our Under-18s this season.

In January, when the young Reds fell to a 2-0 defeat at Swindon, being eliminated from the FA Youth Cup in the process, a challenge was presented. The squad rose to the challenge, and have developed massively as players - and more importantly, as people - as a result.

CONTINUING MOMENTUM

Lawrence's team went another eight games undefeated in all competitions after the Youth Cup defeat, finally having that run ended by Manchester City on Saturday 9 March.

During this unbeaten run, the young Reds battled hard to overcome Arsenal in the quarter-final of the U18 PL Cup, emerging 4-2 victors after extra time at Carrington, and then defeated Crystal Palace 5-0 one month later to reach the final.

Wins over Blackburn (5-2), Liverpool (9-1) and Stoke (4-2) followed, with United entering Tuesday's clash at Wolves knowing that three points would clinch the title.

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

The young Reds defeated Wolves at the Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground 2-1 to wrap up the U18 Premier League North title with two games to spare. Gabriele Biancheri scored twice in the first half, either side of Conor McLoud's finish.

After the league triumph was confirmed, Nick Cox said: "I am extremely proud of what Adam Lawrence, the staff and the players have been able to achieve this season. 

"The players have been stretched, with exposure to numerous competitions and age-group games, whilst also supporting the first-team squad. They have consistently risen to each challenge that we have intentionally designed for them and accomplished something really special together.  

"Individual player development is always our primary aim but competing to win under pressure is vital. Both of those objectives have certainly been achieved across the board with players enjoying the challenging yet supportive environment and ultimately harnessing a winning mentality to experience team success.

"Our Academy programme creates life-changing experiences, and this group of players and staff will remember this achievement wherever their careers take them."