Scott McTominay and Ro-Shaun Williams rise for a header

Under-23s: Leicester City 0 Manchester United 1

Tuesday 15 August 2017 15:00

Manchester United Reserves got the Premier League 2 campaign off to a good start with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Leicester City.

The victory for new boss Ricky Sbragia’s side came courtesy of a delightful Demi Mitchell free-kick, which he fired home in the 62nd minute, after a goalless first-half. 

The match at Leicester’s Belvoir Drive facility began in frantic fashion as both sides looked to grab a firm hold of the game but, in truth, neither team were able to consolidate possession long enough to mount any serious attacks. Mitchell, who enjoyed a fine pre-season with the Reds’ first-team, had the first chance of the game with a speculative 35-yard free-kick, but Daniel Iversen in the Leicester goal saved his effort comfortably. 

United grew into the game after Mitchell’s shot and began to dominate, mainly thanks to Matty Willock and Scott McTominay in the middle of the park, who were able to dictate the tempo. However, despite all of the Reds’ possession, Leicester maintained a tight defensive shape. In the 22nd minute, Willock came close to scoring as, after being found in space in the box by Tosin Kehinde, his curling effort was deflected onto a post before being cleared by Robert Huth. 

The rest of the first-half passed without much incident, though several Leicester men did receive tickings off from the referee for several mistimed challenges. The hosts came out fighting in the second period and Hamza Choudhury really should have netted for the hosts but, after outmuscling Ro-Shaun Williams in the box, he was only able to drag his shot wide of Kieran O’Hara’s near post. 

But it was United who took the lead after 62 minutes when Mitchell fired home a fine free-kick from the edge of the area, which was won after a strong run by Josh Bohui was put to an end by a Huth body-check. McTominay was the next to try his luck for the Reds as, just minutes after the opener, he blasted an effort straight at Iversen after a lay-off by Indy Boonen. 

McTominay, who was also part of the first-team’s pre-season touring party, was in the mix again in the 70th minute as his volleyed effort from Kehinde’s corner was turned behind by Iversen. The Reds were starved of possession for much of the final 20 minutes as the home side attempted to find an equaliser, but Sbragia’s side were relatively untroubled until the climax. 

George Thomas did have one golden opportunity to level for the hosts as, in the 85th minute he was found unmarked in the area by Josh Gordon’s cross, but his headed effort was straight at O’Hara. Ethan Hamilton and DJ Buffonge entered the fray late on as the Reds looked to shore up the midfield, but O’Hara had to be alert to preserve his side’s lead in injury time as he made a brilliant save to tip Connor Wood’s effort over the bar, and ultimately hand the Reds an important three points. 

United: O’Hara; Olosunde, Warren, Williams, Mitchell; Willock, McTominay (Buffonge 90); Riley, Kehinde, Boonen (Hamilton 87); Bohui. Subs not used: Richardson, Sang, Scott.