U18s match summary: Blackburn v United
Manchester United Under-18s continued an action-packed February with a 2-1 victory away to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
After the team’s seventh outing of the month saw a goalless first period, the young Reds took the lead inside the opening two minutes of the second half, through Victor Musa.
Level terms were restored soon after for the hosts through Max Davies, but Amir Ibragimov nudged us back in front with a goal that proved decisive in the day’s U18 Premier League clash.
Level terms were restored soon after for the hosts through Max Davies, but Amir Ibragimov nudged us back in front with a goal that proved decisive in the day’s U18 Premier League clash.
Adam Lawrence’s side were dominant for large parts of both halves, and played particularly well inside the opening 20 minutes, mustering up multiple good opportunities in that time.
Shea Lacey was unlucky not to score on several one-on-one attempts, while the young Reds were also threatening from set-pieces.
Musa started on the left for United and held the ball up well, linking impressively with his team-mates before opening the scoring early in the second half. Half-time substitute James Overy, one of three pre-planned introductions at the break, delivered from the right flank and the former got on the end of the cross with a first-time finish at the near post.
Blackburn responded well to the goal and found a leveller from a corner five minutes later. The hosts took the set-piece quickly before the ball was delivered to Davies on the edge of the six-yard area, who headed home from close range.
It was a setback, but United responded perfectly and reasserted our dominance again, before netting the second half’s third goal in 11 minutes through Ibragimov. Jaydan Kamason drove forward on the counter-attack and slipped Ibragimov in, who finished the opportunity well to restore our lead.
The young Reds continued to play good football in the time that followed and, while we were unable to make our advantage more comfortable, managed the game out well to record a second victory of the week, backing up Tuesday’s triumph by the same scoreline at home to Wolves.
Shea Lacey was unlucky not to score on several one-on-one attempts, while the young Reds were also threatening from set-pieces.
Musa started on the left for United and held the ball up well, linking impressively with his team-mates before opening the scoring early in the second half. Half-time substitute James Overy, one of three pre-planned introductions at the break, delivered from the right flank and the former got on the end of the cross with a first-time finish at the near post.
Blackburn responded well to the goal and found a leveller from a corner five minutes later. The hosts took the set-piece quickly before the ball was delivered to Davies on the edge of the six-yard area, who headed home from close range.
It was a setback, but United responded perfectly and reasserted our dominance again, before netting the second half’s third goal in 11 minutes through Ibragimov. Jaydan Kamason drove forward on the counter-attack and slipped Ibragimov in, who finished the opportunity well to restore our lead.
The young Reds continued to play good football in the time that followed and, while we were unable to make our advantage more comfortable, managed the game out well to record a second victory of the week, backing up Tuesday’s triumph by the same scoreline at home to Wolves.
“It was a different type of game and we were dominant in good periods on the whole,” said lead coach Lawrence post-match. “It was quite a narrow pitch, smaller to what we normally play on. I thought we were mature with how we played the conditions.
“We responded well to Blackburn’s goal and after going back ahead, we created more chances again and looked really exciting, and then the last five or 10 minutes was just about seeing out the game.
“Similarly to Tuesday’s win over Wolves, we won 2-1 and while the opponent didn't put us under loads of pressure in terms of chances, there’s been one goal in both of those games and you’ve got to manage it properly. I felt the boys did that in midweek and again today.
“With the amount of football we’ve been playing lately, two games most weeks for the players, I think they deserve some credit with how they’ve been managing themselves and navigating their way through it really.”
“We responded well to Blackburn’s goal and after going back ahead, we created more chances again and looked really exciting, and then the last five or 10 minutes was just about seeing out the game.
“Similarly to Tuesday’s win over Wolves, we won 2-1 and while the opponent didn't put us under loads of pressure in terms of chances, there’s been one goal in both of those games and you’ve got to manage it properly. I felt the boys did that in midweek and again today.
“With the amount of football we’ve been playing lately, two games most weeks for the players, I think they deserve some credit with how they’ve been managing themselves and navigating their way through it really.”
U18s 90 in 20: United v Wolves Video
U18s 90 in 20: United v Wolves
U18s 90 in 20 | Watch extended highlights from United v Wolves...
MATCH DETAILS
United: Byrne-Hughes; Kamason, Armer, Plunkett, Mills; Devaney (c) (Overy 46), Bailey, Thwaites; Lacey (Ibragimov 46), Bradbury (Lusale 46), Musa.
Unused subs: Heath, Shah.
Booked: Ibragimov.
Goals: Davies 52 | Musa 47, Ibragimov 56.
United: Byrne-Hughes; Kamason, Armer, Plunkett, Mills; Devaney (c) (Overy 46), Bailey, Thwaites; Lacey (Ibragimov 46), Bradbury (Lusale 46), Musa.
Unused subs: Heath, Shah.
Booked: Ibragimov.
Goals: Davies 52 | Musa 47, Ibragimov 56.
Back to Top