United's Under-18s triumph on Teesside
Manchester United's Under-18s defeated Middlesbrough 4-1 in front of the MUTV cameras at Rockcliffe Park.
Joe Hugill opened the scoring in only the third minute, in rather scrappy fashion, and it proved to be the only goal of the first half.
Boro competed well and looked to get on top at the start of the second half, only for the Reds to fire a quickfire brace to virtually seal the three points.
Hugill's early goal
Watch Joe Hugill's third-minute opener as our Under-18s took on Middlesbrough...
Hugill grabbed his second with a low finish under Oliver Swann, at the end of a wonderful team move which included a slick one-two between Iestyn Hughes and Dillon Hoogewerf. Charlie Wellens then added a third following another fine build-up with Zidane Iqbal, Alvaro Fernandez and Alejandro Garnacho helping to tee up the midfielder.
Substitute Charlie McNeill was denied by Swann's diving save, while Hugill was also thwarted by the keeper as he hunted a hat-trick from Fernandez's cross, before a stunning drive by Pharrell Willis pulled one back. United's Johan Guadagno kept out Calum Kavanagh as Boro threatened to make life even more difficult. However, Isak Hansen, another sub, dribbled through from the right to slam in a superb fourth to wrap things up.
The Reds could reflect on our encouraging opening to the season, with four victories from the opening five fixture, and a further boost to our confidence arrived in just the third minute when Hugill snapped up a loose ball before cracking a left-foot shot past Swan in the Boro goal.
It was a perfect tonic for United against a Boro side that began this game in the league table’s in second place just one point adrift of Manchester City at the top. United were, of course, hoping to build on that lightning start but the game proceeded on a pretty level playing field with chances being made and spurned by both sides.
Boro striker Josh Coburn looked all set, in the 25th minute, to put his side on terms but for a timely and precise intervention from United’s Zidane Iqbal, while winger Willis was another of Boro’s youngsters who could have found the net but was thwarted by centre-back Rhys Bennett.
Under-18s' thrilling team goal
Twelve passes, involving eight different players, lead to Joe Hugill's second strike...
United: Guadagno; Hughes, Bennett, Hardley, Fernandez; Iqbal (Savage 66), Svidersky; Wellens (Hansen 71), Hoogewerf, Garnacho (McNeill 66); Hugill
Substitutes not used: Vitek, Jurado.
Scorers: Willis 81 | Hugill 3,58 Wellens 60, Hansen 91.
The match is being replayed in full from 20:30 GMT on Friday on MUTV.