U21s: Liverpool 1 United 2

Travis Binnion’s side had to come from behind on the road, having trailed early on through Michael Laffey’s 11th-minute close-range header. Chido Obi levelled before the break after Tyler Fletcher’s driving run into the area, and United looked the likelier scorers in the second half. It took some time, but eventually, the young Reds’ attacking intent paid off, when right-back Jaydan Kamason was on hand in the area to finish after Armin Pecsi had parried Obi’s shot.

United now have four wins from as many games in the league this season, including against rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.

Binnion’s team now prepare for an exciting Old Trafford clash in the Premier League International Cup against Athletic Club, from Bilbao. Tickets are available here and the players and staff would greatly appreciate your support.

FIRST HALF

Liverpool broke through into space on the right wing 11 minutes in, with Lucas Pitt combining well with Joe Bradshaw, whose driven cross was parried away by United goalkeeper Will Murdock. Liverpool’s Michael Laffey ran straight onto the ball and headed home from close range.

It was one of several dangerous deliveries from the home side in the opening 20 minutes, but United soon settled, although were mainly reduced to long-range efforts. Diego Leon did come inside to shoot on one occasion, but watched his effort saved by Armin Pecsi. Jack Fletcher struck wide from the resulting corner. Shea Lacey did the same five minutes on, coming inside on his left foot to drag it beyond the right post.

Driving forward in a similar area of the pitch shortly after, Tyler Fletcher ate up the ground and drew defenders towards him before a well-timed short pass just to his right, where Chido Obi was on hand to finish past Pecsi to equalise.

Buoyed by the leveller, United pushed on, with Lacey denied just before the break when coming inside again.

SECOND HALF

After half-time — during which Jame Scanlon replaced Leon, with Bendito Mantato subsequently moving to left-back — Lacey turned provider. Right-back Jaydan Kamason met his left-wing delivery well, getting above his marker, but watched his header rattle off the crossbar.

Jack Fletcher shot wide on two occasions, once on the volley from a Lacey corner, and then after powering through midfield unchallenged, while Kamason put in a fantastic block at the other end as Keyrol Figueroa pulled the trigger.

Figueroa then had his head in his hands after he was unable to appropriately control Trent Kone-Doherty’s left-wing cross, instead collecting it unusually with his stomach before hitting the right post.

In his final action before coming off for Victor Musa, the lively Lacey curled one excellently towards the left post, only for Pecsi to pull off a fine diving save. Obi powered a right-footed drive from a tight angle soon after, requiring Pecsi to tip it away for another United corner.

Binnion’s boys showed great attacking intent and moved forward with a sudden burst of pace 80 minutes in. Tyler Fletcher and Scanlon combined quickly to send Mantato away down the left wing, from where he pulled back for Obi, whose shot was parried away by Pecsi. Right-back Kamason, whose very presence in the area indicated United’s desire to get forward, was on hand to finish coolly.

United could have extended the advantage, with substitute Musa forcing another good save from Pecsi when shooting from the area's edge, and Dan Armer then heading over from the resulting corner. 

MATCH DETAILS

United XI: Murdock; Kamason, Devaney (c), Armer, Leon (Scanlon 46); T. Fletcher, Fitzgerald, J. Fletcher; Lacey (Musa 77), Obi (Biancheri 90+3), Mantato.

Unused subs: Heath; Munro, Biancheri.

Goals: Obi 43, Kamason 81 | Laffey 11.