U18s report: United 3 Blackburn 0

Our young Reds were held to a goalless draw by the Lancashire side in November, but Gabriel’s penalty, substitute Kai Rooney’s low shot and a sublime Jim Thwaites free-kick sealed a deserved victory at Carrington.

A 12th consecutive success in all competitions for Darren Fletcher’s side keeps the pressure on leaders Manchester City, who drew 2-2 at Burnley, at the top of the U18 Premier League North table.

United made three changes to the starting XI that reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup in midweek by beating Sunderland 3-2 at Old Trafford.

FIRST HALF - REDS GO CLOSE TO BREAKTHROUGH

Paul Butler’s visitors from Lancashire beat Leeds 4-1 last time out and made a bright start on a sunny morning at Carrington, with their defender Alfie McIlroy being watched by his grandad - former United forward and MUTV pundit Sammy McIlroy - from the sidelines.

The first sighting of goal came at the other end as Gabriel drove forward and pulled the trigger, but his right-footed effort flashed wide of the post.

Thwaites brought the first save of the game from Blackburn goalkeeper Finley Taylor, who was almost caught out by a clever free-kick from the right channel. The midfielder pulled another effort wide from 20 yards after a well-worked move down the left involving Noah Ajayi, Gabriel and Louie Bradbury.

With first-team head coach Michael Carrick again watching on, the Reds settled into the game as Gabriel threatened once more with a low shot from outside the box, which narrowly missed the target.

The closest the Reds came in the opening period came when Bradbury crashed a left-footed shot against the post from a tight angle after being fed by Gabriel, following an advantage played by referee Sam Parnaby when Ajayi was fouled.

Rovers keeper Taylor also had to be alert to palm over a fierce drive from distance by Yuel Helafu, who advanced with purpose from right-back.

United were somehow thwarted on three occasions in quick succession as Gabriel, captain Godwill Kukonki and Bradbury all saw shots blocked by a stubborn Blackburn rearguard.

SECOND HALF - THREE GOALS CLINCH VICTORY FOR UNITED

Blackburn created two opportunities soon after the restart as Tyler Mansbridge’s deflected shot forced Fred Heath into his first save, before Jayden Sergeant curled an effort wide from 20 yards.

However, the Reds took the lead in the 54th minute when Gabriel turned superbly inside the box and drew a foul by Rovers substitute Levi Ball, before sending the keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Kai Rooney entered the action in place of Bradbury on 63 minutes and made an immediate impact as he received Nathaniel-Junior Brown’s pass and found the bottom corner with a low shot from 20 yards.

United had firmly taken control and added to our advantage in sublime style, as Thwaites curled in a delightful free-kick from the left channel to make it 3-0.

At the other end, Heath kept his clean sheet intact with a fine save to his right to keep out Rovers captain Archie McCoy.

Rooney almost netted his second when, picked out by Brown again, he found space in the penalty area but his right-footed shot struck the post.

A quick break by Rooney almost resulted in a fourth as Brown was denied by keeper Taylor before substitute Jariyah Shah’s follow-up came back off the crossbar.

Blackburn had a final chance when Sergeant lifted a shot over the crossbar from Lister’s dinked pass as the Reds earned what was a comfortable victory in the end.

Our Under-18s are next in action on Saturday 11 April when we travel across the Pennines to face rivals Leeds United. Kick-off will be at 12:00 BST and you can watch the match live on MUTV.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Heath; Helafu, Mills, Kukonki (c), J.Watson (McEvoy 63); McCormack; Brown, Thwaites, Gabriel (Shah 70), Ajayi (D.Nkoto 70); Bradbury (Rooney 63).

Subs not used: Byrne-Hughes.

Goals: Gabriel 54 pen, Rooney 65, Thwaites 71.

Booked: McEvoy, Rooney (United); Kelley-Quinn, Sergeant, Walls (Blackburn).