United Under-18s produce four-star performance
Manchester United's Under-18s cruised to an excellent 4-0 victory over Derby County in atrocious conditions at the Rams’ training centre on Saturday afternoon.
The result rarely looked in doubt but it wasn’t until the second half that Neil Ryan’s charges really stamped our mark on the game.
Noam Emeran netted United’s first goal and he was followed on to the scorers' list after the break with Omari Forson and two from Charlie McNeill completing a totally professional performance.
It was an extremely blustery and overcast afternoon in Derby but that didn’t appear to bother United’s youngsters who made a bright and breezy start to this league game.
Two debutants - McNeill and Willy Kambwela - were named in the side to face the Rams and both embraced their tasks like the proverbial ‘duck to water’.
Kambwale, formerly with Sochaux in France, played in central defence and showed composure and vision that belied his 16 years of age and striker McNeill, who moved to United’s Academy from neighbours Manchester City, slotted seamlessly into the Reds’ attack.
Two debutants - McNeill and Willy Kambwela - were named in the side to face the Rams and both embraced their tasks like the proverbial ‘duck to water’.
Kambwale, formerly with Sochaux in France, played in central defence and showed composure and vision that belied his 16 years of age and striker McNeill, who moved to United’s Academy from neighbours Manchester City, slotted seamlessly into the Reds’ attack.
United threatened from the earliest moments but the Rams’ defence and wayward shooting ensured the scoresheet remained blank until the 28th minute.
By this time Derby had seen their ranks reduced after defender Ely Christie was shown a red card after felling our skipper Martin Svidersky who had a clear run at goal in front of him.
The Reds had been well on top before that incident so it was little surprise when Emeran planted the ball past Rams goalkeeper Alfie Roberts after Svidersky’s shot had been deflected.
By this time Derby had seen their ranks reduced after defender Ely Christie was shown a red card after felling our skipper Martin Svidersky who had a clear run at goal in front of him.
The Reds had been well on top before that incident so it was little surprise when Emeran planted the ball past Rams goalkeeper Alfie Roberts after Svidersky’s shot had been deflected.
Following these two events it seemed that the writing was on the wall for the hosts but to their credit they dug in and negotiated the remainder of the half without conceding any further goals. And just prior to the half-time whistle, they went within a fraction of equalising when Osazee Aghatise’s shot struck the underside of United’s crossbar.
The conditions had worsened considerably as the second half commenced with plenty of precipitation falling from dark grey clouds.
Undeterred, United maintained the earlier domination following the resumption of play and scored twice within the next quarter of an hour to seal the destination of the points.
The conditions had worsened considerably as the second half commenced with plenty of precipitation falling from dark grey clouds.
Undeterred, United maintained the earlier domination following the resumption of play and scored twice within the next quarter of an hour to seal the destination of the points.
Forson doubled the lead, in the 54th minute, after taking a pass from Emeran, before McNeill lashed the ball home on the hour to mark his first appearance with a goal.
To crown a highly satisfactory trip to Derbyshire, McNeill scored United’s fourth goal, with the aid of Dylan Williams’ slight deflection, with seventeen minutes left on the clock.
The striker also came within inches of registering a debut hat-trick, with a shot that whistled just wide of the right-hand post, but by then he and his new United team-mates had done enough to notch a great result in the Under-18 Premier League North and boost the side's confidence ahead of next Friday's FA Youth Cup semi-final.
To crown a highly satisfactory trip to Derbyshire, McNeill scored United’s fourth goal, with the aid of Dylan Williams’ slight deflection, with seventeen minutes left on the clock.
The striker also came within inches of registering a debut hat-trick, with a shot that whistled just wide of the right-hand post, but by then he and his new United team-mates had done enough to notch a great result in the Under-18 Premier League North and boost the side's confidence ahead of next Friday's FA Youth Cup semi-final.
MATCH DETAILS
United: Mee; Hughes (Hansen 65), Kambwala, Hardley, Pye (Garnacho 74); Iqbal (Jurado 65), Svidersky; Wellens, Forson, Emeran; McNeill.
Substitutes not used: Guadagno, Savage.
Goals: Emeran 28, Forson 54, McNeill 60, 73.
Our 2020/21 home, away and third kits are available to buy now from United Direct.
United: Mee; Hughes (Hansen 65), Kambwala, Hardley, Pye (Garnacho 74); Iqbal (Jurado 65), Svidersky; Wellens, Forson, Emeran; McNeill.
Substitutes not used: Guadagno, Savage.
Goals: Emeran 28, Forson 54, McNeill 60, 73.
Our 2020/21 home, away and third kits are available to buy now from United Direct.
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