UEFA Youth League: Bayern v United
Manchester United were defeated 2-0 by Bayern Munich in our UEFA Youth League opener in Bavaria on Wednesday afternoon.
Efforts late in each half from Robert Ramsak and Michael Scott proved pivotal in an entertaining game featuring plenty in the way of goalmouth action, with Bayern in control early on in the Bavarian sunshine.
Elyh Harrison was on hand to block right-back Vincent Manuba’s fierce shot, with the rebound cleared, while no.9 Ramsak should perhaps have done better than to divert Kurt Ruger’s cross wide. Playmaker Javier Fernandez then fizzed a strike from distance over the bar as the home side cranked up the pressure before 15 minutes had elapsed.
Bayern keeper Max Schmitt was called into action twice in quick succession as United responded well, saving Ethan Williams’s free-kick and tipping an effort from Ethan Wheatley away from goal, after our no.84 had capitalised on a defensive error.
But just as Travis Binnion’s charges looked to be heading into the break level, Ramsak evaded attention at the far post to convert Adam Aznou’s driven cross.
Bayern were still buoyant when the game resumed and Harrison had to pull off two impressive stops, saving Aznou’s shot which was bound for the top corner before blocking Fernandez’s low attempt with his feet.
United did grow into the half as it progressed and substitute Victor Musa headed straight at Schmitt – he was then unlucky to see his drive deflected the wrong side of the Bayern goal following excellent work from Williams out wide on the right.
The home side always looked threatening going forward though and, after another couple of close shaves, Scott doubled Bayern’s lead, curling the ball into the net beyond the reach of Harrison with 10 minutes to go.
Manuel Pisano rattled a post instead of making it three but United could have pulled one back in injury-time, with Schmitt diverting Ruben Curley’s poked effort on to the woodwork before blocking a goalbound header from Louis Jackson to cap off a frustrating afternoon for the young Reds.
TEAM DETAILS
United: Harrison, Ogunneye, Kambwala, Jackson, Nolan (Amass 56), Oyedele (c), McAllister (Fitzgerald 56), Lacey (Musa 46), Scanlon (Curley 84), Williams, Wheatley.
Subs not used: Myles, Kingdon, Missin.