U21s: Wolves 1 United 1

One point on the road for Travis Binnion’s young Reds secures a fifth-placed finish in the division, meaning we qualify for the end-of-season play-offs, where we’ll host the 12th-placed side.

As things stand, that will be Everton, who were 5-4 winners over Tottenham Hotspur on Monday. However, the Toffees’ Merseyside rivals Liverpool play their final game on Friday evening, against Aston Villa, who sit bottom. Victory for Liverpool will see them leapfrog the Blues into that 12th spot.

FIRST HALF

While United dominated possession, chances were fairly evenly shared in the opening stages as Wolves capitalised when on the break. Gabriele Biancheri headed over from a seventh-minute corner before the hosts' Dani Angel watched a left-footed effort blocked and Luke Rawlings struck wide of the left post.

For United, Sam Murray hit over from the centre of the area and Chido Obi and James Scanlon both had shots blocked. United’s Elyh Harrison denied both Justin Hubner and Dani Angel from headers, the latter a fantastic save, in a first half featuring many set pieces. 

In the end, one paid off. Finn Ashworth had hit just wide of the right post after a free-kick routine, encouraging Tom Edozie to go direct at the next opportunity. His excellent strike found the bottom right corner to give Wolves a 44th-minute lead.

SECOND HALF

With several players starting in unusual positions - such as winger Scanlon in midfield, left-back Sam Murray on the right and striker Gabriele Biancheri on the left - United grew into the game, finding rhythm after the break and coming out quickly.

Chido Obi’s effort was saved before it could nestle in the bottom left corner straight after the restart and, shortly after, Bendito Mantato won the ball high up before playing in Tyler Fletcher, who restored parity with a good finish.

With two efforts from outside the box, United’s dominant spell continued but without further reward. Sekou Kone hit high and wide of the left post, while Scanlon forced a save out of Josh Gracey.

Wolves soon had two attempts of their own, but neither Hubner and half-time substitute Fletcher Holman could threaten Harrison’s goal.

Headed chances for Biancheri and Obi both went by without United finding a second of the half while sub Amir Ibragimov was on the end of an excellent cross from Obi, but, though he made good contact, he couldn't quite find the accuracy to beat Gracey in the Wolves goal.

THE COACH'S REACTION

"We've done enough to win the game there after a better second half, but not quite had that quality in their box," reflected Travis Binnion.

"We've had a few games like that this season. I think we've shown a good style of play and come away from almost every game - except losses at Sunderland and Arsenal, where we weren't good enough - thinking we should have won it. That's somewhere we need to improve: being clinical when dominating the ball and creating lots of chances. Going into the play-offs, we need to put some thought into that.

"But the bigger picture is we've done better in the league this season (finishing fifth) than last (finishing 12th) which means we have a home game in the play-offs. Whether it's Everton or Liverpool, we're looking forward to the challenge. We hope to have four more games this season. From a bigger picture perspective, we've got players regularly in first-team training, others who are involved in matchday squads, the U18s have several big games as they try to catch Man City, and now we have the play-offs for the U21s. It's the business end of the season and we have a lot to play for. That's great experience for the players."

MATCH DETAILS

United: Harrison; Murray (c) (Fredricson 61), Munro, Kukonki, Rowe; Kone, T. Fletcher (Ibragimov 61), Scanlon (Thwaites 73); Mantato (Musa 73), Obi, Biancheri (Ajayi 73).

Unused subs: None.

Goals: Tom Edozie 44 | Tyler Fletcher 52