U21s: United 2 Dortmund 0

A goal in each half from Gabriele Biancheri ensured the Reds ended 2025 in perfect fashion, in front of 3,124 supporters at Old Trafford.

Our young Reds are next in action against Wolves in the New Year, but can take plenty of positives from a superb display in M16.

FIRST HALF

Captain for the evening Jacob Devaney was dealt a bitter blow with the game just a few minutes old, as he hit the deck and was forced to be withdrawn.

James Overy was the introduced, as Dortmund saw plenty of the ball early on, but didn't threaten the United goal albeit.

It took us just seven minutes to notch the opener, with Biancheri completing a flowing move.

Diego Leon played a lovely ball to Chido Obi down the left flank, before the young Dane squared across to our no.9 for the evening to control.

Gabriele took one touch before rifling an effort across Dortmund goalkeeper Silas Ostrzinski, which found the bottom corner with brilliant precision.

Will Murdock was called into action to deny Jonas Feddersen shortly after, leaping into the air from a wicked corner delivery to keep our lead in tact.

Sekou Kone then linked up with Obi as we went in search of a second. The ex-Arsenal man couldn't quite get the requisite connection as the ball flew over the bar.

Scanlon saw his low-driven shot pushed away as the first half continued. Tyler Fletcher was enjoying his role in midfield, orchestrating play from a central position.

SECOND HALF

As we reached the hour mark, the German side began to up the ante in search of an equaliser. Danylo Krevsun's free-kick cannoned back off the bar, much to the delight of Murdock.

The United shot-stopper was busy again soon after, as substitute Charalampos Drakas raced through before being denied again at the vital juncture.

We soon had a second though as we reach the 70-minute mark, with Scanlon's brilliant play pivotal in the move.

The Gibraltar international drove right at the heart of the BVB backline, before laying in a fine pass to Biancheri, who lashed home his shot into the net for two.

Despite conceding a second, the Black and Yellows still held hope they could get back into the tie.

Krevsun couldn't believe his luck when he got the right side of Leon to slip inside, only for our 18-year-old goalkeeper to stand in his way again.

Biancheri had two more late chances to earn him the match ball, both of which were kept out by Ostrzinski in front of the Stretford End.

But that was to be that from the Theatre of Dreams, with our young Reds next facing Sporting in January, again at Old Trafford, to round off the Premier League International Cup group stage.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Murdock; Fitzgerald, Armer, Jackson, Leon; Devaney (Overy 2), Kone; Scanlon, T.Fletcher, Biancheri; Obi (Mather 65).

Subs not used: Heath, Plunkett, Bailey.

Goals: Biancheri 7 & 70.