U18s report: United 1 Peterborough 0

United have won the storied under-18 tournament 11 times previously, a competition record, and were able to begin this season's campaign in triumphant fashion thanks to Gabriel's first-half goal.

Darren Fletcher's young side will now face either Cambridge United or Derby County at the next stage, with those teams due to meet in the third round on Wednesday.

FIRST HALF

Attacking the Stretford End in the opening 45 minutes, United nearly made the dream start. Right winger Bendito Mantato pounced on a heavy Peterborough touch and won the ball back inside the visitors' 18-yard area before squaring for Louie Bradbury, who was disappointed to roll his first-time right-footed effort wide.

That opening, less than three minutes in, was followed by a steadier period of play. Even if no further clear-cut chances came in the next quarter of an hour, the young Reds remained on the front foot and were dominating the ball.

An appreciative applause from the gathering of fans congregated in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand saluted an impressive touch from Nathaniel Junior Brown to take down a crossfield pass from Albert Mills, before Gabriel registered our next attempt at an opening goal, seeing a left-footed effort blocked behind by a Peterborough body in close attention.

Fletcher's side were dictating the tempo of the contest and, while Peterborough remained organised in their shape, a United advantage felt like it was drawing closer. As the pressure grew on the away team, a penalty appeal was waved away by referee Jamie Roberts, after Mantato went down once he'd gone past Nat Joseph inside the box.

Mantato didn't put up much of a protest in the way of the decision, and was quickly back on his feet to play a crucial role as the Reds made the breakthrough in the 22nd minute.

Similarly to earlier, the winger quashed the visitors' attempts to play out from the back, this time winning the ball high up the pitch and finding Jariyah Shah. The latter turned away from a pursuing opponent brilliantly before driving a low ball across the penalty area, set by Brown for Gabriel on the edge of the box, who opened up his body and slotted home coolly on his right foot.

Ahead but not satisfied, United continued to come forward before the break. The best opening comprised of four shots that quickly came one after another, a minute on from the half-hour mark.

After Brown and Mantato had seen strikes blocked from close range, Peterborough's commendable rearguard effort in this sequence continued with goalkeeper Ben Westcott smoothering Shah's rebound, before Gabriel saw the fourth shot of a remarkable series deflected behind by a defender.

SECOND HALF

Peterborough had spent much of the first 45 minutes showing spirit to defend in their own half, but they began to pose more of a threat at the other end after the interval. Luca Christoudias's free-kick - albeit high and wide of Cameron Byrne-Hughes's goal - was a reminder that our lead remained slender.

Having seen that, the young Reds set about on going through the gears again. Now advancing towards the old Scoreboard End, Mantato had United's first notable opening of the half, chopping inside from the right before firing his fierce left-footed shot over the crossbar.

Next it was captain Jim Thwaites to be denied on his left foot, this time time with a block from a defender, before Mantato had his latest attempt saved by Westcott, who bravely came rushing from his goal to get his frame in the way of Shah's powerful rebound.

A series of substitutions for both sides followed, as the contest really began to open up. In United's goal, Byrne-Hughes had been kept relatively quiet, but came up big when he was needed in the 66th minute, first getting down low to his left to thwart Patryk Sykut's drive, before getting back to his feet to collect Eddie Fox's volley, which was straight at him.

Having made his mark on the tie with a double save, the United goalkeeper then played a delightful line-breaking pass into midfield for Gabriel, moments later. The latter turned and drove towards goal, determined to double his and his team's tally for the evening, but shot over after finding an appropriate angle on the edge of the box.

As the game entered its final 15 minutes, Peterborough continued to pose a danger at one end, but it was the young Reds having the better chances at the other. Thwaites struck a free-kick well but it was just a tad too central and gathered by Westcott, despite an initial fumble, before Mantato lifted his latest effort over from a tight angle.

Despite not being able to break through again, United kept cool in the closing stages and the five added minutes of stoppage time.

Lucca Mendoca's sliding shot on the stretch in the final seconds was cleared away and as nervy as it got for Fletcher's side, who had a chance to make it 2-0 with the last kick of the game, but substitute Jay McEvoy dragged wide on the break. Just the one goal would prove enough, though.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Byrne-Hughes; Helafu (McEvoy 78), Mills, Armer, Kukonki; Thwaites (c), Shah (Overy 73); Mantato, Gabriel (McCormack 89), Brown (Lusale 61); Bradbury (Ajayi 70).

Subs not used: Heath, Plunkett.

Booked: Kukonki.

Goal: Gabriel 22.