Man United U-23 Matches 2017/18

[penk22_]

MANCHESTER UNITED RESERVES FIXTURES 2017/18

PREMIER LEAGUE 2

Mon 14 Aug - Leicester City (A) 1-0
Mon 21 Aug - Swansea City (H) 1-1
Fri 25 Aug - Tottenham Hotspur (A) 0-3
Fri 8 Sept - Arsenal (H) 0-2
Mon 18 Sept - Chelsea (A) 2-2
Fri 22 Sept - Derby County 1-2
Sun 15 Oct - West Ham United (A) 2-4
Mon 23 Oct - Liverpool (H) 1-3
Sun 29 Oct - Sunderland (A) 1-0
Sat 4 Nov - Swansea City (H) 2-1 (PL International Cup)
Wed 15 Nov - Athletic Club (H) 2-1 (PL International Cup)
Sat 18 Nov - Manchester City (H) 1-1
Mon 27 Nov - Everton (A) 0-0
Sat 2 Dec - Celtic (H) 2-0 (PL International Cup)
Mon 11 Dec - Swansea City (A) - POSTPONED
Mon 18 Dec - Leicester City (H)
Mon 8 Jan - West Ham United (H)
Mon 15 Jan - Arsenal (A)
Mon 29 Jan - Tottenham Hotspur (H, Old Trafford)
Sun 4 Feb - Derby County (A) 13:00 GMT
Fri 16 Feb - Chelsea (H) 19:05 GMT
Fri 2 Mar - Sunderland (H, Old Trafford)
Fri 9 Mar - Liverpool (A, Anfield)
Fri 13 Apr - Manchester City (A)
Fri 20 Apr - Everton (H, Old Trafford)

Home matches are played at Leigh Sports Village and all matches kick off at 19:00 UK time.

[penk22_]

RESERVES: MANCHESTER UNITED 1 SWANSEA 1

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/4481AEFB521240F5B72CA364AD6DBBCB.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,0,2000,1125

Premier League 2 | Leigh Sports Village | Scorers: Gorre 53; Boonen 79

Manchester United's Reserves grabbed a late point against Swansea City at Leigh Sports Village in front of 2,136 fans, who also saw Luke Shaw and Ashley Young both make a successful return from long-term injuries.

This may have been a reserve-team fixture, to use old-fashioned terminology for a second-team game, but it was a hugely important evening for senior duo Shaw and Young, who were both returning to action after being side-lined through injury for almost four months.

Shaw damaged ligaments, coincidentally, against the Swans at Old Trafford last April, while Young picked up a serious hamstring problem during the Europa League semi-final against Celta Vigo in Spain.

United’s pre-match planning was disrupted as early as the third minute when they lost defender Ro-Shaun Williams after he took a knock to his head. He was given treatment on the field but after a few minutes he was helped off looking in an unstable state. Fortunately, United had a ready-made replacement in Tyrell Warren on the bench to fill the void.

The Reds were presented with the opportunity to take the lead in the ninth minute, when Joshua Bohui was felled in the area by Swans’ skipper Joe Rodon.

Demetri Mitchell, who grabbed United’s winner at Leicester last week, stepped up to the plate, but his shot flew wide of the keeper’s right-hand post to leave the teams on level terms.

The Reds held sway for much of the first half, with Young and Shaw linking up on more than one occasion, but chances of real quality were few and far between.

It was certainly as useful workout for the returning stars, with Young in particular taking several heavy challenges in what was turning out to be quite a physical contest.

Eight minutes into the second half and Kenji Gorre, one of two United old-boys in the Swansea side, Tyler Reid being the other, fired his team into the lead with shot from the edge of the area.

A few moments later and speculative effort from Mitchell bounced off the top of Swansea’s crossbar. Young and Shaw, having undergone a really good return to action, were both withdrawn to be replaced by Joe Riley and Tosin Kehinde.

It had been a very encouraging return for the pair, who will surely be aiming to back in the first-team picture as soon as possible.

Indy Boonen grabbed United’s equaliser with 11 minutes remaining, with a close-range finish after the Swansea defence had failed to clear their lines.

United: J. Pereira; Olosunde, Williams (Warren 3), Tuanzebe, Shaw (Kehinde 59); Young (Riley 59), McTominay, Willock, Mitchell; Boonen; Bohui. Subs not used: Richardson, Hamilton.

http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Reserves/Reserves-News/2017/Aug/u23s-manchester-united-v-swansea-city-match-report-premier-league-2.aspx

[penk22_]

RESERVES : TOTTENHAM 3 UNITED 0

Premier League 2 | Lamex Stadium, Stevenage | Scorers: Edwards 11, Tanganga 13, Pritchard 25

Manchester United's Under-23s suffered defeat at Tottenham with all the damage done inside the opening 25 minutes at Stevenage's Lamex Stadium.

On the plus side, Luke Shaw played the full 90 match and James Wilson lasted 78 minutes as they stepped up their bid for full fitness.

Marcus Edwards was allowed to set his sights on goal from outside the box and duly curled a left-footer around Theo Richardson for the opener. Around 100 seconds later, Joe Pritchard's corner set up Japhet Tanganga for a towering downward header beyond Richardson to double the lead.

When Shaw was robbed of possession in the 25th minute, the situation worsened with Timothy Eyoma slipping in Pritchard, who was in acres of space and cut inside to slip the ball under an exposed Richardson.

United looked shell shocked until finishing the half on a positive note with Ethan Hamilton forcing a save out of Brandon Austin and Wilson miscuing an Indy Boonen centre. Yet Spurs came out of the traps quickly again in the second half and Shilo Tracey should have scored when firing a great chance wide.

Tracey was off target again before Edwards skipped through the heart of the defence to force a decent save out of Richardson. By now, the visitors were also creating chances but Josh Bohui's shot did not have enough power to beat Austin when Boonen robbed Oliver Skipp and Scott McTominay failed to direct a header from a Demi Mitchell corner.

Wilson started to come into the game and he had a couple of attempts, while Mitchell blazed over following some more good work by the bright Boonen. Austin's diving stop to deny Wilson in the 75th minute looked to kill off any flickering hopes of a comeback, and the home keeper also blocked a Boonen header at his near post.

Shaw collected a late booking and Matthew Olosunde was denied a consolation that the second-half display deserved when his shot from a Mitchell pull-back crashed against an upright.

United: Richardson; Olosunde, Warren, Tuanzebe, Shaw; Hamilton, McTominay; Bohui, Boonen, Mitchell; Wilson (Buffonge 78). Subs not used: M. Johnstone, Sang, Scott, Whelan.

http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Reserves/Reserves-News/2017/Aug/u23s-tottenham-v-manchester-united-shaw-tuanzebe-feature.aspx

[penk22_]

RESERVES: UNITED 0 ARSENAL 2

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/711B580225294BDB81548F2A79B24679.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,84,3635,2136

Premier League 2 | Leigh Sports Village | Scorers: Nelson 33, Da Silva 38

Reiss Nelson and Josh Da Silva scored free-kicks inside five first-half minutes as Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-0 in Premier League 2.

Luke Shaw played the full 90 minutes at centre-half for the Reserves, his third successive outing in an attempt to regain full fitness, but Ricky Sbragia's side were unable to bounce back from defeat in the last fixture at Tottenham.

The Gunners could have been ahead inside 30 seconds but Nelson missed a glorious chance, with the visitors soon getting on top. Kieran O'Hara denied Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Chuba Akpom while Da Silva delayed a shot and had it blocked.

A heartening trademark run by James Wilson forced Ryan Huddart into a save but nobody followed in to profit from the rebound, while the keeper did well to deny Joe Riley when he latched onto a fine through ball by Shaw. O'Hara was the busier of the goalies, though, as he made a sprawling stop when Akpom seemed certain to provide the finishing touch to a slick move involving Nelson and Maitland-Niles.

O'Hara dived to keep out an effort by Marcus McGuane but he was deceived by Nelson's free-kick that flew in at his near post, following Matthew Olosunde's foul on Akpom. Five minutes later, Da Silva followed suit with a powerful set-piece that also found the net, from the other side of the area.

It was a hammer blow to United, who struggled to contain the Londoners at times in the first half, but Wilson provided some hope with a run and cross that Indy Boonen could not convert, before turning to fire in a drive that was beaten away by Huddart.

With the rain lashing down, the chances dried up after the break, although yet another free-kick, by Maitland-Niles, worked O'Hara at the start of the second half. A rare opportunity for the Reds should have been taken but substitute Zak Dearnley was unable to net at full stretch when Boonen dived to head on a Demi Mitchell cross.

As Wilson appeared to persevere to overcome a knock, there was little attacking threat and he appeared to do more damage to his hip when attempting to convert a centre by Riley from the left, deflecting it over the bar. He soldiered on a little longer and managed to trick his way through, only to place his finish too close to Huddart, who saved well. Scott McTominay almost forced in the corner as the hosts were desperate to find a lifeline.

Mitchell tried his luck from a free-kick but was unable to replicate Arsenal's earlier efforts as it dipped too late and cleared Huddart's bar. The wide man was also on the sharp end of a dangerous late tackle by Jordi Osei-Tutu, soon before a cross by lively substitute DJ Buffonge nearly created a consolation with a nice cross.

United: O'Hara; Olosunde, Warren, Shaw, Mitchell; Hamilton, McTominay; Riley, Boonen (Buffonge 57), Bohui (Dearnley 46); Wilson (Whelan 78). Subs not used: Richardson, Scott.

http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Reserves/Reserves-News/2017/Sep/u23s-manchester-united-v-arsenal-match-report.aspx

[Andi Istiabudi]

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/B2881753D4DC4DE9839A43C0C8191BFF.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,80,3403,2012

RESERVES: CHELSEA 2 UNITED 2

Premier League 2 | EBB Stadium | Scorers: Christie-Davies 72, Hudson-Odoi 82; Kehinde 38, Wilson 56

Manchester United and Chelsea Reserves fought out a terrific draw in extraordinary conditions at Aldershot’s EBB Stadium on Monday evening.

United were two goals to the good at one stage, with Tosin Kehinde and James Wilson netting, but Chelsea rallied well to claim a share of the spoils.

This is one of the longest trips of the season for United’s Under-23 side and it can hardly be described as home game for Chelsea considering the military town of Aldershot is in Hampshire, some way outside Greater London.

But is has to be said that the EBB Stadium, once upon a time the Recreation Ground, is one of most picturesque in the country, with towering trees dominating the scene.

There was decent crowd inside the ground, which is just a stone’s throw from the town centre, as the game started and, within a minute of the first whistle, Chelsea’s Miro Mukeim had forced Kieran O’Hara into action after hitting a blistering drive.

Isaac Christie-Davies also had a great chance to put the ‘home’ team in front a few minutes later but he squandered the opportunity.

Chelsea were certainly making the early running and, on the quarter-hour mark, Jacob Maddox looked to have succeeded in giving his side the advantage but his shot struck the post and stayed out following his darting run from midfield.

Chelsea continued to have the lion’s share of the attacking play, but United’s defence were coping well with the threat the Stamford Bridge lads were posing.

And Chelsea’s finishing was leaving a lot to be desired as Callum Hudson-Odoi completely miscued his shot from a great position.

Then, in the 38th minute, United showed Chelsea how it’s done as Kehinde unleashed an unstoppable shot, after taking a pass from DJ Buffonge, which Jamie Cumming, the Chelsea goalkeeper, had little chance of stopping.

Half-time and United went in a goal to the good when they could have easily been looking at a mountain to climb in the second half.

The half-time entertainment came in the form of an incredible downpour of rain that was still swamping the arena as the teams started the second half.

The first real chance after the break fell to United, in the 52nd minute, when Wilson headed wide from Joe Riley’s inch-perfect cross.

United had opened the second half brightly, making more visits into Chelsea territory, and in the 56th minute they doubled their lead with a terrific header from Wilson.

United’s genuine chances in the game had been considerably rarer than Chelsea’s but it’s the ones that go in that count.

Hudson-Odoi was set free with the goal in front of him and he looked odds-on to score but Riley and keeper O’Hara combined to stop him in his tracks.

Chelsea finally found a way past United’s defence in the 72nd minute when, following a sweeping move, Christie-Davies hit the net with a neat finish.

Still the rain came down and almost every pass and challenge was accompanied by a plume of water.

The home side had certainly regained their momentum since halving the deficit and, with eight minutes remaining on the clock, drew level with Hudson-Odoi grabbing the equaliser from close range.

United: O’Hara, Riley, Mitchell, Warren, Olosunde, Warren, Dearnley, Hamilton, Wilson (Bohui 79), Buffonge (Boonen 79), Kehinde (Kenyon 84). Subs not used: Richardson, Sang.

www.manutd.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

UNDER-23S: UNITED 1 DERBY 2

Premier League 2 | Leigh Sports Village | Scorers: Buffonge 58 | Shackell 56, Zanzala 72

Jason Shackell and Offrande Zanzala scored the goals as Derby County moved off the bottom of Premier League 2 with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village.

DJ Buffonge scored his first goal at Reserves level to equalise in the second half but the loss of Matthew Olosunde, who was taken off on a stretcher at the end of the first half, was another negative on the night for Ricky Sbragia's men.

After surviving an early scare, the Reds almost scored in the fifth minute when James Wilson latched onto a Demi Mitchell through ball and, from a tight angle, thumped a drive across Josh Barnes and against the far post. The visiting keeper may have got a faint touch to it and Zak Dearnley's rebound was blocked.

Barnes was in action again to save a low shot by Dearnley, following some neat skill by Buffonge, but Derby carried a real threat with Ikechi Anya particularly dangerous down the left. Luke Thomas was thwarted by Kieran O'Hara but headed the rebound goalwards, only for Joe Riley to make a superb clearance to keep the scores level.

Zanzala had a glorious chance to open the scoring, only for Olosunde to block, as the Rams continued to ask questions of the United defence. However, after referee Peter Gibbons was replaced by Richard Holmes due to an injury, Sbragia's side enjoyed a bright spell.

Wilson unloaded a fine strike that forced a diving stop out of Barnes and the keeper also denied Ethan Hamilton. Dearnley then fired across goal from a wide position when picked out by Buffonge. Olosunde was injured towards the end of the half and it looked a serious one for the American, while Wilson headed the final opportunity of the first period over the top from a Mitchell centre.

Substitute Jake Kenyon and Mitchell were off target before Zanzala looked certain to score for Derby, only for O'Hara to stick out a leg to divert the effort to safety. The deadlock was finally broken on 56 minutes, when Ethan Wassall flicked on a corner for Shackell to loop over O'Hara, a little fortuitously. It took only two minutes and 33 seconds for the Reds to respond with Kenyon feeding Hamilton, who did tremendously well down the left. They were queuing up in the middle and the cut-back was perfect for Buffonge to arrow a precise finish into the top corner of the net.

Wilson was crowded out after a surging run and Buffonge dipped an attempt over the bar but the Rams scored next as their 11th corner of the game led to Zanzala directing a downward header past O'Hara. Mitchell's free-kick sailed wide but Thomas twice went close to ending the contest in the closing stages.

United: O'Hara; Riley, Warren, Olosunde (Kenyon 45), Mitchell; Whelan (Boonen 82), Hamilton; Dearnley (Bohui 65), Buffonge, Kehinde; Wilson. Subs not used: Richardson, Sang.

www.manutd.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/1BD52B019CF2488DA65102B4EE1FFB16.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,274,2000,1404

UNDER-23S: WEST HAM 4 UNITED 2

Premier League 2 | London Stadium| Scorers: Martinez 24,45,47 Powell 65 | Mitchell 2,35 |

Manchester United’s Under-23s slipped to a Premier League 2 defeat in a six-goal thriller against West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds twice led in a match that was played in brilliant autumnal sunshine, but the Hammers recovered both times and, with the help of a Toni Martinez hat-trick, went on to claim all three points.

United were forced to defend an immediate West Ham attack from the kick-off but, within 80 seconds, we had taken the lead. Indy Boonen set up the opening with a beautifully weighted pass into the Hammers’ area and Demi Mitchell collected the ball before steering past West Ham keeper Nathan Trott.

United were certainly looking for a boost after slipping to defeat in three of the last four games and the early goal fitted the bill perfectly. And the visitors, wearing a smart all-black strip, could have been celebrating again soon after when Charlie Scott’s shot went close to finding the target.

Luke Shaw was included in Ricky Sbragia’s team selection and the former Southampton full-back looked lively and mobile in both defence and attack down the left flank. It was an end-to-end contest with neither side dominating and, in the 24th minute, that was reflected when Martinez scored to put the home side on level terms.

United, however, soon restored our lead when, in the 35th minute, keeper Trott could only parry James Wilson's blistering drive and Mitchell followed up to claim his second goal of the afternoon. As half-time approached it appeared United would return the dressing room with our noses in front but, in the third minute of added time, the Hammers were level again after Nathan Holland crossed for Spanish striker Martinez to double his output with a fine header.

Two minutes into the second half, the Hammers’ striker completed his hat-trick with another header after getting on the end of a right-wing cross from Edmilson Fernandes. Manager Sbragia almost immediately introduced two substitutes, Ro-Shaun Willaims and Joshua Bohui, to the action as we looked to salvage something from the game.

That, however, looked to be an uphill in the 65th minute, when United’s defence failed to deal with another Fernandes cross and Joe Powell took full advantage to extend his side’s lead. United were now looking for something special to get back into contention and Tosin Kehinde almost provided that with two close calls, one of which struck the crossbar. However, the loss means the Reds are still bottom of the table at this early stage of the season.

United: O’Hara; Riley, Warren, Scott (R. Williams 51), Shaw; Whelan, Kehinde; Boonen (Hamilton 70), Buffonge, Mitchell; Wilson (Bohui 51). Substitutes not used: Richardson, Sang.

www.manutd.com

[penk22_]

U23S: MANCHESTER UNITED 1 LIVERPOOL 3

Premier League 2 | Leigh Sports Village | Scorers: J. Wilson 61; Ejaria 14, Grujic 71, H. Wilson 74

Manchester United's Under-23 team put on a spirited second-half performance against a strong Liverpool side at Leigh Sport Village Stadium on Monday evening, but in the end the Merseysiders collected all three points.

An excellent attendance of 4,557 spectators saw the visitors on top for most of the opening period, but their superior possession only yielded one first-half goal - from Ovie Ejaria in the 14th minute.

Ricky Sbragia's words of wisdom at half-time certainly paid dividends with a much-improved home display, featuring an equaliser from James Wilson in the 61st minute, and with a touch of luck the hosts could have gleaned something from the evening. Instead, two further goals from Marko Grujic and Harry Wilson finally put the game beyond United's reach.

This Premier League 2 Division One meeting could have been described as a basement versus summit contest with the great North West rivals separated by ten clubs in the twelve-team competition. Liverpool started the evening at the top of pile with a healthy haul of 18 points from the seven games completed, while United were at the other end of the table with five points from the same number of matches.

Most observers would have been quick to suggest that the visitors would be odds-on to collect the points but have meetings between the Reds of Manchester and Merseyside ever been that simple to predict? In truth, the first 45 minutes did, for most of the time, proceed according to the script or the form book.

Brimming with confidence, the current Premier League 2 leaders certainly performed in a way that illustrated perfectly that their place at the top of the table is definitely justified. However, with United battling hard, Liverpool were limited to Ejaria's 14th-minute opener and for sure they wouldn't have been totally happy with their output in front of goal. At the other end, both James Wilson and Demetri Mitchell went close to finding the net.

If the first half belonged to Liverpool, the action after the break was a good deal more balanced with United pushing forward so much more than earlier. The improvement was rubber-stamped in the 61st minute when Joshua Bohui’s surging run ended with a fine pass to Wilson, who tucked the ball neatly past visiting goalkeeper Kamil Grabara.

However, the Merseysiders were not to be denied their seventh victory in eight league games and they claimed it with Grujic's header in the 71st minute and Harry Wilson's clinical finish three minutes later. There was a late flurry of activity in the Liverpool area but unfortunately for United, Indy Boonen and substitute DJ Buffonge both hit their shots against the woodwork.

United: O'Hara; Riley, Warren, Williams R-S, Mitchell (Dearnley 81); Kehinde, Hamilton, Redmond, Boonen; Bohui (McIntosh-Buffonge 85); Wilson. Substitutes not used: Richardson, Scott, Whelan.

http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Reserves/Reserves-News/2017/Oct/u23s-reserves-manchester-united-v-liverpool-premier-league-2-match-report.aspx

[Andi Istiabudi]

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/C66D265480D94409AA2ED8E2D1E3625D.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,0,2077,1170

UNDER-23S: SUNDERLAND 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 1

Premier League 2 | Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground | Scorer: Mitchell 49 (pen)

Manchester United’s Under-23s returned to winning ways with a hard-fought narrow victory over Sunderland at Eppleton Colliery Welfare on Sunday afternoon.

It was the first time Ricky Sbragia’s lads had a triumph to celebrate since the opening day of the season at Leicester City when, coincidentally, the Reds won 1-0 with a goal from Demetri Mitchell. The success brought to an end a run of seven Premier League 2 games without a win.

It was a sunny and pleasant day in the north east as the game got underway, which was in stark contrast to the terrible conditions the clubs' Under-18 teams had to contend with at the Aon Training Complex twenty-four hours earlier when United won 2-1.

Sbragia’s Under-23s were certainly looking to put a break on the recent run of adverse results and the lads started brightly against the Black Cats with full-back Joe Riley testing Sunderland goalkeeper Michael Waud with a long-range shot in only the third minute.

United, in black shirts and white shorts, showed a determination in the opening exchanges that gained the lion's share of the early possession. Genuine chances were rare at either end but with Riley and Mitchell overlapping effectively down the flanks, the visitors looked the most likely to open the scoring.

Kieran O’Hara wasn’t completely unemployed in United's goal and on a couple of occasions he dealt confidently with the aerial threat from Sunderland’s main striker, Joel Asoro.

Indy Boonen may have been a little disappointed not to have broken the deadlock for United in the 34th minute when he connected with Zachary Dearnley’s fine cross from the right but could only volley over the crossbar from close range. Hence the lively, quick-tempo contest remained goalless, with drizzle starting to fall, as half-time came around.

United were swift to take up the offensive again as the second half started and in the 49th minute Mitchell’s trickery led to Sunderland defender Owen Gamble bringing him down in the penalty area. The referee wasted no time in pointing to the spot and showing Gamble the yellow card for his misdemeanour. Mitchell was soon back on his feet and seconds later he was celebrating after slotting the spot-kick past the diving Waud.

The goal prompted a reaction from the home side with both Gamble and Luke Molyneux trying their luck with speculative attempts from distance. But although Sunderland strived for parity and United tried to increase the advantage, Mitchell's strike from the penalty spot proved to be the difference between the two sides at the foot of Premier League 2.

United: O’Hara; Riley, Ercolani, Williams R-S., Mitchell; Sang, Whelan, Scott (McIntosh-Buffonge 85); Dearnley, Boonen, Kehinde. Substitutes not used: Tanner, Johnstone M., Hamilton, Bohui.

www.manutd.com

[penk22_]

U23S : MANCHESTER UNITED 2 SWANSEA CITY 1

http://www.manutd.com/~/media/F8474AD60100484AA79458B7114C7779.ashx?mw=500

Premier League International Cup | Leigh Sports Village Stadium | Scorers: Wilson 59 (penalty), 67; Gorre (penalty) 90

Two goals from striker James Wilson - including a penalty - were enough to see Manchester United’s Under-23s launch the Premier League International Cup campaign on a winning note.

The Reds were pushed all the way by a very good Swansea City team and at no stage could victory have been taken for granted against the lads from South Wales who kept going right up to the very last whistle.

Ricky Sbragia’s United team went into the game boosted by the 1-0 Premier League 2 victory away at Sunderland last weekend. That was the Reds' first win at this level since the opening day of the season, but results alone don’t tell the full story because better outcomes than the scorelines might have indicated have been deserved on several occasions.

It was a chilly afternoon in Leigh, albeit with fluffy clouds and blue skies above as the game started with a good turnout of fans accommodated in the main stand. Six minutes after the kick-off, there was a flurry of activity in United’s area with the Reds' defence battling well to prevent the Swans from taking an early lead.

Both teams looked bright and lively as the game unfolded into an entertaining contest with United’s Charlie Scott and James Wilson almost putting their names on the scoresheet.

Referee Joe Johnson had a quiet word with Swansea’s Jordan Garrick and United’s skipper Joe Riley shortly before half-time after the two had been involved in a flare-up but both players escaped without being shown the yellow card.

In the early moments of the second half, Kenji Gorré, the former United starlet, almost found a route through the Reds' back line with an impressive mazy run.

Fourteen minutes into the half and United were given the opportunity to break the deadlock when the referee pointed to the penalty spot after Swansea skipper Joe Rodon had been adjudged to have handled the ball. Wilson wasted no time in placing the ball on the spot before neatly slotting it into the net past the diving Lewis Thomas in the visitors’ goal.

Eight minutes later and Wilson found the net again to double United’s advantage with a brilliant angled drive after racing to prevent the ball from going out of play.

This double blast was just the tonic United had been seeking and based on the overall balance of second-half play, it was nothing less than Sbragia's side deserved. The majority of the 1,009 supporters in the stadium were naturally delighted to see the Reds en route to another victory.

Both teams utilised their full quota of three substitutes which included Tyler Reid, another ex-United man, joining the action for the Swans midway through the half.

The visitors eventually pulled one back just before the final whistle, when Gorré scored from the penalty spot after Swansea defender Cian Harries had been felled in the area, but it came too late to prevent a second win in six days for United's Under-23s.

United: O'Hara; Riley, Ercolani, Williams R-S., Mitchell; Sang; Dearnley, Scott (Whelan 87), Hamilton, Kehinde (Boonen 82); Wilson (Bohui 82). Substitutes not used: Johnstone M., Kenyon.

http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Reserves/Reserves-News/2017/Nov/u23s-reserves-manchester-united-v-swansea-city-premier-league-international-cup-match-report.aspx

[penk22_]

UNDER-23S : MANCHESTER UNITED 1 MAN CITY 1

http://www.manutd.com/~/media/2EA85F3504B942F4B65629F411E5D54E.ashx?mw=500

Premier League 2 | Leigh Sports Village Stadium | Scorers: Wilson 21; Nmecha 48

Honours were even in the Premier League 2 Manchester derby on Saturday afternoon, after James Wilson opened the scoring for United midway through the first half and City fought back to equalise through Lukas Nmecha early in the second half.

Ricky Sbragia’s Reds went into this fixture infused with confidence after winning the last three outings - victories over Swansea City and Athletic Club Bilbao in the Premier League International Cup came hot on the heels of collecting three league points on the road against Sunderland.

That new-found belief was plain to see in the early exchanges of the game as United pressed at forward at every opportunity. At the same time, the hosts had to be cautious in defence against the attack of what is widely perceived as a decent City side.

Fifteen minutes into the contest, the Reds were inches from moving into the lead when Wilson got his head to Zachary Dearnley's corner. Some United supporters were already on their feet preparing to celebrate, but that was before City keeper Arijanet Muric pulled off a spectacular one-handed save to push the ball over the bar.

However, it was only a reprieve for the Blues because United duly claimed the first goal of the afternoon in the 21st minute and it was Wilson who was having his name scribbled on the scoresheet. The Reds striker did incredibly well to find the net with an angled drive, after collecting Demi Mitchell's long pass and running virtually half the length of the field with the ball with City defenders giving chase.

City’s best chance of the first period arrived just after the half-hour mark when Phil Foden saw his goalbound shot saved impressively by Kieran O’Hara in the United goal.

Shortly before the half-time whistle, the Reds very nearly doubled the advantage when Ethan Hamilton had a shot blocked, seemingly by a City defender's hand but a penalty

Hamilton did put the ball in the net within three minutes of the restart, following excellent work by Wilson and Tosin Kehinde, but he was flagged offside.

Moments later and with the action having switched to the other end, City’s Nmecha swooped to score with a close-range finish and put the visitors on level terms.

This early burst of activity set the tone for the second half as the game swung from one end to the other with both sides making chances. But although both coaches utilised their full allowance of substitutes in a bid to find a winning formula, the great rivals had to settle for a point apiece at reserves level ahead of further derbies for the Under-18s and senior teams.

United: O’Hara; Riley, Ercolani, Williams R-S., Mitchell; Dearnley (Gribbin 86), Scott (Boonen 83), Sang, Kehinde; Hamilton; Wilson (Bohui 83). Substitutes not used: Warren, Johnstone.

http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Reserves/Reserves-News/2017/Nov/U23s-reserves-manchester-united-v-manchester-city-premier-league-2.aspx

[penk22_]

UNDER-23S : EVERTON 0 UNITED 0

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/919289FCCD4642CCABD42E8E0C5D25EB.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,140,2636,1624

Premier League 2 | Merseyrail Community Stadium | Scorers: None.

Manchester United’s Under-23s stretched our unbeaten run to five matches in league and cup, but were forced to settle for a point against Everton at the Merseyrail Community Stadium in Southport on Monday evening.

Genuine goalscoring chances were at a premium but it was, nevertheless, an entertaining Premier League 2 contest. It was a rather chilly evening in this well-loved traditional seaside resort in Merseyside, but at least the rain, which had earlier fallen from the sky in torrents, had moved away.

And considering the extremely low temperature, there was a good turn-out of hardy souls inside the Haig Avenue ground as the game commenced.

United keeper Kieran O’Hara needed to be alert from the start because he was called upon twice in opening four minutes to deal with shots from Everton striker Bassala Sambou. The same Everton player was presented with a golden opportunity to give his side the lead shortly afterwards but blasted his shot over the bar from a very good position.

O’Hara was the busier of the two keepers during the first half, but that isn’t to say that Everton’s Mateusz Hewelt had been inactive. He and his defence had to deal with several threatening raids that brought openings for United, but James Wilson and Charlie Scott were not blessed with luck in front of goal.

Defender Ro-Shaun Williams pulled up with an injury midway through the first half which forced manager Ricky Sbragia to send on tailor-made substitute Tyrell Warren, who scored the goal in the Under-19s' defeat in Basel last week.

Four minutes into the second half and the home side very nearly opened the scoring but Josh Bowler's shot squirmed agonisingly past the post. Ethan Hamilton then fired over at the other end and Demi Mitchell was given the chance to launch a couple of long-range free-kicks into the Toffees’ area – both of which failed to test the Everton backline.

Clever approach play from skipper Joe Riley and substitute Callum Gribbin provided Hamilton with a chance to try his luck from outside the box, but Hewelt made saved efficiently. Gribbin then supplied the Reds' best attempt of the game when he cut inside to launch a curling shot but Hewelt touched it over the bar.

United had to survive a scare in the closing moments when Everton skipper Morgan Feeney headed inches over the bar from Luke Garbutt’s free-kick and Harry Charsley was unable to provide the finishing touch from a promising move in injury time.

United: O’Hara; Riley, Ercolani, R. Williams (Warren 23), Mitchell; Scott, Sang; Dearnley (Gribbin 63),
Hamilton, Kehinde; Wilson. Subs not used: Richardson, Boonen, Bohui.

http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Reserves/Reserves-News/2017/Nov/U23s-reserves-everton-v-manchester-united-match-report.aspx

[penk22_]

UNDER-23S : UNITED 2 CELTIC 0

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/877E1F88513F408C98BDE02AC87D1E4E.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,153,2869,1778

Premier League International Cup| Leigh Sports Village | Scorers: Wilson 28,82

United’s Under-23s ensured continued involvement in the Premier League International Cup when we secured our place in the next phase with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Celtic at Leigh Sports Village.

James Wilson bagged both goals - one in each half - to clinch United’s progress and also maintain his personal record of having scored in all this season’s games in the competition.

United were defending a five-game run in which we had avoided defeat in the Premier League 2 and Premier League International Cup with an encouraging return of three wins and two draws.

Earlier victories over Swansea City and Athletic Club Bilbao meant that Ricky Sbragia’s lads were in a strong position as we approached this clash against the Glasgow giants. It was one of those miserable Mancunian days of drizzle and mist at kick-off time and it was United who made the first genuine opening, in the seventh minute, when Wilson was given a clear run at goal, but his shot, which looked destined to find its target, was diverted past the post by the fingertips of Celtic keeper Conor Hazard.

Two minutes later, Celtic were unlucky not to move into the lead when Regan Hendry’s goalbound shot took a crucial deflection off its intended destination. Callum Gribbin rattled the Celtic bar with a cracking shot and the game constantly switched from one end to the other.

Celtic certainly looked to be a decent team and the Reds had to be on their guard when the Green-and-Whites ventured up field. However, Zak Dearnley was looking to be enjoying himself on the left wing and, in the 28th minute, he instigated the move that led to United taking the lead. Dearnley and Gribbin were both involved in the build-up that ended with Wilson planting the ball into the Celtic net.

The 1,016 supporters who attended this extremely entertaining Anglo-Scottish confrontation could only be well pleased with the fare that was put before them.

The high-quality performance from both sides continued into the second half and, with 10 minutes remaining, it appeared that defender Wallace Duffy had claimed an equaliser for Celtic, but the assistant referee's flag was already fluttering in the breeze to disallow it.

The impressive Dearnley was in the thick of the action, in the 82nd minute, when he threaded through a beautiful forward pass to Wilson, who coolly collected the before depositing it neatly past Hazard.

United had one scare to survive in the last minute when Celtic’s Ewan Henderson spotted Kieran O’Hara well off his line and attempted an audacious attempt from fully 65 yards. O’Hara was beaten but the ball squirmed inches past his right-hand post.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable 90-plus minutes of football that continued right up until the referee’s final whistle, with United safely through to the knockout stages.

United: O’Hara; Riley, Olosunde, Tuanzebe, Mitchell; Gribbin (Buffonge 84), Scott, Sang, Dearnley (Whelan 89); Kehinde; Wilson. Substitutes not used: Johnstone, Barrett, Kenyon.

http://www.manutd.com/en/Fixtures-And-Results/Match-Reports/2017/Dec/U23s-reserves-premier-league-international-cup-united-v-celtic.aspx

[Andi Istiabudi]

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/612792E9020542D5932C136D6F7F35EB.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,269,2698,1789

UNDER-23S: UNITED 1 LEICESTER 1

Premier League 2 | Leigh Sports Village | Scorers: Gribbin 6 | Knight 77

Manchester United's Under-23s had to settle for a point in thick fog at Leigh Sports Village as Leicester City finished the game strongly to clinch a 1-1 draw.

On arriving at the complex, it was shrouded in mist, giving the whole scene a look of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary tome ‘The Hound of the Baskerville’s, which various film producers have adapted to the big screen. Referee Michael Diciccio made a five o’clock inspection of the conditions before confirming that the game could indeed go ahead.

The pitch was perfectly playable, but the visibility – which of course is vital not only for the players but also the officials – wasn’t perfect and required the referee and his colleagues to make the important ruling.

United got off to a flying start to the game when, in the sixth minute, Callum Gribbin found the net from distance after a clearance from Foxes keeper Max Bramley had landed fortuitously at his feet. It was a composed finish from the midfielder on his 19th birthday after his initial through ball looked to exploit James Wilson's pace.

The teams were certainly making light of what from the comparative comfort of the press box appeared to be quite challenging conditions. Leicester’s Josh Eppiah tried his luck from outside the area but Kieran O’Hara, guarding United’s goal, dealt with the shot efficiently despite the murk. Moments later, at the other end, Tosin Kehinde followed Eppiah’s example, but unfortunately met with the same conclusion as keeper Bramley comfortably fielded the ball.

Leicester went close to levelling the scores, in the 28th minute, when Layton Ndukwu hit a curling, dipping free-kick but, happily for O’Hara, it flew inches wide of the angle of post and bar. Charlie Scott could then only place his finish wide after excellent work on the left by Wilson.

The fog appeared to thicken during the half-time break, but that did not stop the teams from resuming the contest with the aid of a yellow ball instead of the white one used in the opening half. Only an astounding save by Bramley denied Ethan Hamilton when he turned inside the area to get his shot away.

Gribbin was given the opportunity to double his output, 27 minutes into the second half, when he was awarded a free-kick after being grounded by Leicester defender Josh Knight. United’s number seven took the set-piece himself and his shot was not far away from reaching its intended target. Two minutes later, Gribbin went even closer with a left-foot drive that was deflected over the bar.

Leicester clawed their way back into the contest and started to show the form that has taken them into second place in the table. Knight found a route past O’Hara to level the scores with a cheeky finish to a George Thomas cross to spark some sustained pressure. Yet it was United who probably came closest to a winner, in stoppage time, when Tom Sang was narrowly off target.

The gloom did little to assist the art of match reporting and, several times, it was virtually impossible to make out who was doing what as they disappeared into the distance.

United: O'Hara; Riley, Ercolani, R. Williams, Mitchell; Sang, Scott (Dearnley 85); Gribbin (Bohui 85), Hamilton, Kehinde; Wilson (Boonen 90). Substitutes not used: Richardson, Warren.

www.manutd.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/72C753C58B8A480E97C7364259D710E6.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,120,2000,1252

RESERVES SET FOR OLD TRAFFORD OUTING

Manchester United's Reserves have been hard at work in preparation for Monday night's Premier League 2 game against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.

The 19:00 GMT kick-off is free to enter for all spectators and is also being shown live on MUTV as the Under-23s aim to pick up a first win of 2018. With several of the Reds' Under-18 players fighting for a place in the squad, there should be a real opportunity for the youngsters to impress on the big stage.

Angel Gomes and Aliou Traore, who have both signed professional contracts recently, trained with the group in front of the MUTV cameras, while Aidan Barlow could also be in contention.

Sbragia told ManUtd.com: "The fans who come to Old Trafford on Monday night can see what's there and what talent we've got coming through.

"We've got a nice number of players now. Maybe two to three weeks ago, we were down to 10 in training but we've balanced it up to 18 now. Some players are coming back from injuries - Tosin Kehinde and Jake Kenyon. We're just waiting on Gribbo [Callum Gribbin].

"The Under-18s are doing really well and we have great communication with their coach Kieran McKenna, while Nicky [Butt, Head of Academy] controls everything. We've taken five or six of their players up to the Reserves and we had 10 of them training with us over Christmas. It was a little opportunity to see where they are and where they want to be. They adapted extremely well to that side of it.

"That process of making room for younger players to give them reserve-team football early has always been in place whenever I've been here. If we have good 15 or 16-year-olds, we'll bring them in with us but it's certainly important for the 17 and 18-year-olds that they see a door there and a pathway as well.

"We know them, we know what they can do and it's great they can come and train with us. Some of them are playing in the games as well and are maybe slightly further ahead."

Ahead of the transfer window closing in midweek, there is likely to be more loan interest in the senior members of United's Reserves squad - particularly given the impact already made by James Wilson (Sheffield United) and Demi Mitchell (Hearts) with their new clubs. The Spurs match at Old Trafford could be an opportunity to impress any scouts and managers in attendance.

"We looked at it and talked with Willo, who knew the importance of going out on loan again," said Sbragia.

"He chose to go to Sheffield United, which is a good one for him, and his move makes room for Joshua Bohui and Indy Boonen. They had a few chances to play in the early part of the season when Willo was injured and they played extremely well against Leicester and Swansea.

"Josh is the main striker in my team now and he's got to stay in there. I thought he did well against Arsenal and made really good runs. He retained the ball quite well but he's not well developed physically yet. That will definitely come. We played Angel behind him and are giving him games as well.

"I think, in general, from my point of view, I love the senior players going out on loan. When I was here for the first time, I think we had 19 young players go out on loan and it's great development for them. It gets them in the market and people can see them, plus it leaves an opening for the younger players to show what they can do.

"I think it's the Manchester United way and it should always be that way."

www.manutd.com

[Riskur]

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/76329F9B492C457EBD2E57F203F34A68.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,119,2232,1377
Premier League 2 | Old Trafford | Scorers: Chong 50; Bennetts 59, Roles 62, Sterling 70

U23s: Manchester United 1 Tottenham 3

Tahith Chong’s goal five minutes into the second half of this Premier League 2 match raised hopes that Manchester United's Under-23s were on course to end a recent run of unfavourable results, but Tottenham Hotspur hit back to score three times in eleven minutes to claim an impressive victory.

United’s starting line-up showed four changes from the team’s last outing against Spurs’ North London neighbours at Borehamwood. The Reds came unstuck in that fixture, losing 4-0 to Arsenal, so it was no huge surprise to see Ricky Sbragia shuffle his pack.

Chong and defender Lee O’Connor were called up from Kieran McKenna’s Under-18s side to make their Under-23 debuts along with Aidan Barlow, Nishan Burkart and, fresh from his cameo appearance against Yeovil Town last Friday, Angel Gomes.

This was the first of three Under-23 matches that United are obligated to play at Old Trafford each season and there was a modest crowd gathered in the lower tier of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand as the game got under way.

United were defending the Stretford End in the first half, but it was at the other end where the first real action occurred when Ethan Hamilton tested Spurs’ keeper Alfie Whiteman with a well-struck shot from outside the area.

The match took a little time to get rolling, but it eventually developed into a really feisty contest with referee Andrew Miller kept busy with his whistle.

Spurs were given the opportunity to take the lead in the 35th minute, when Tyrell Warren was penalised for a challenge in United’s 18-yard box. Miller immediately pointed to the spot and Spurs striker Kazaiah Sterling stepped up to take responsibility, but his nicely struck shot wasn’t good enough to beat Joel Pereira, who pulled off a fine save.

United were inches from finding the net shortly before the break when Indy Boonen’s header, from Warren’s cross, struck the woodwork to leave the game goalless after 45 minutes.

The Reds moved into the lead five minutes into the second half when a defensive error allowed Chong to intercept the ball before beating Whiteman with a confident finish.

However, the advantage was to last less than three minutes before the visitors capitalised on a loose ball in United’s penalty area to claim the leveller through Keanan Bennetts. Worse was to follow soon after when Spurs’ Jack Roles put his side in front with a tap-in after snatching the ball from Pereira’s feet.

The Reds were really faced with an uphill task twenty minutes from the end when Sterling made amends for his earlier failure from the penalty spot when he smashed home Spurs’ third goal.

Sbragia introduced three substitutes in Tosin Kehinde, Darren McIntosh-Buffonge and Nishan Burkart late in the game, but by then his team had too much to do to avoid a third defeat in three matches in 2018.

United: J. Pereira; Warren, R-S Williams, O’Connor, Riley; Hamilton, Barlow (Burkart 73); Chong, Gomes (McIntosh-Buffonge 79), Boonen (Kehinde 70); Bohui. Substitutes not used: Olosunde, O’Hara.

www.manutd.com (http://www.manutd.com/en/Players-And-Staff/Reserves/Reserves-News/2018/Jan/U23s-reserves-premier-league-2-manchester-united-v-tottenham-hotspur.aspx)

[zudomiriku]

Manchester United U23s 1-3 Tottenham U23s: Red Devils suffer third-straight defeat as they slip to bottom of the Premier League 2

* Tottenham's Kazaiah Sterling missed a first-half penalty on Monday night
* Tahith Chong opened the scoring for Manchester United in the 50th minute
* But three goals in eleven second-half minutes ensured Spurs sealed the win
* United's third-straight defeat this year sees them slip to the bottom of the table

Tottenham Under 23s moved above Manchester United U23s in the Premier League 2 Division 1 table with a 3-1 victory over the Red Devils on Monday night.

Three goals in 11 second-half minutes ensured Spurs would take home the three points from Old Trafford.

The win sees them leapfrog United into 11th, while their league rivals slip to the foot of the table following three-straight defeats this year.

Angel Gomes started for Ricky Sbragia's side following his minor appearance against Yeovil Town in the FA Cup on Friday night.

United's U23s side play three games at Old Trafford during their season and their first this campaign looked as though it was going to be a positive result after Spurs missed a penalty and Tahith Chong opened the scoring.

United's Tyrell Warren gave away a penalty in the 35th minute but Joel Pereira saved Kazaiah Sterling's effort.

Chong, who was called up from the club's U18s side, scored on his U23s debut five minutes into the second-half after taking advantage of a Spurs' defensive mistake.

https://s9.postimg.org/b4wlzm3a7/48_B612_E200000578-0-image-a-18_1517271140067.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
United took the lead through Tahith Chong, who was making his debut for the U23s side

https://s9.postimg.org/53yx2jw3j/48_B6110500000578-0-image-m-22_1517271197011.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Chong celebrates after opening the scoring for United five minutes into the second-half

But United's lead was short-lived as Keanan Bennetts equalised for Tottenham in the 59th minute.

Just three minutes later Spurs were in front, courtesy of a goal from Jack Roles, who closed down Pereira and took the ball from him in front of his own goal.

Striker Sterling did get on the scoresheet in the 70th minute to wrap up victory for his side.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5327657/Manchester-United-U23s-1-3-Tottenham-U23s.html

[Andi Istiabudi]

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/74155840DC5B42EBA18D74942F69207B.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,156,3129,1917

U23S: DERBY COUNTY 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 1

Premier League 2 | St. George's Park | Scorers: Redmond pen. 25; Walker 56

Manchester United's Under-23s had to settle for a share of the points against Derby County on Sunday, despite leading through Devonte Redmond’s 25th-minute penalty.

Derby fought back after the break to equalise through Lewis Walker and deny United in their quest for maximum points after three straight defeats at the start of 2018.

It was a bright, sunny, but chilly afternoon at St. George’s Park, the England team’s training ground in Derbyshire, as this Premier League 2 fixture got under way.

This game was taking place just 24 hours after the clubs’ Under-18 sides had met at the Aon Training Complex, with United running out 6-3 winners in a richly entertaining contest.

The kick-off, appropriately on the complex’s 'Bobby Charlton Pitch', was preceded by a minute’s silence in tribute to all those who were involved in the Munich Air Disaster, which occurred 60 years ago on Tuesday.

United welcomed back Cameron Borthwick-Jackson to partner Luca Ercolani in the centre of defence following his loan spell with Leeds United.

It was a lot to hope for a match to equal the previous day’s nine-goal thriller, but both teams set about their task in a purposeful manner from the first whistle.

Tahith Chong, on the right wing, immediately caught the eye with his pace, energy and willingness to take on the Derby defence.

And it was the Dutch youngster's speed that led to United taking the lead midway through the first half, when his progress into the Derby penalty area was abruptly halted by defender Alex Cover.

The referee pointed to the spot and, after Chong had returned to his feet, Redmond stepped up to plant the ball neatly into the Derby net.

The home side had a couple of excellent opportunities to put themselves on level terms, but both Sven Karic and Alex Babos failed to convert their chances.

Eleven minutes into the second half, though, Derby found the equaliser when striker Walker leapt to head home a cross from the left wing.

And the Rams almost took the lead a few minutes later when Joe Bateman’s cracking strike fizzed past the post.

Derby were reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute, when Cameron Cresswell was given his marching orders after being shown a second yellow card for handball.

The imbalance in personnel wasn’t apparent in the time that remained, as the game swung from one end to the other, but there were no further goals and, at the final whistle, the 1-1 scoreline was a fair reflection of the game as Ricky Sbragia's side claimed a first point of the new year.

United: O’Hara; Riley, Ercolani, Borthwick-Jackson, Olosunde; Sang (Traore 78); Chong, Redmond, Whelan, Kehinde (Buffonge 80); Dearnley.

Substitutes not used: Kenyon, Richardson, Mellor.

www.manutd.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

Wah kalah telak nih..

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/777CE8B6DCCD4062A3CD4B5EA1078807.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,42,2129,1244

UNDER-23S: UNITED 0 CHELSEA 4

Premier League 2 | Leigh Sports Village | Scorers: Castillo 10, Hazard 49, James 60, St Clair 78

Juan Castillo, Kylian Hazard, Reece James and Harvey St Clair all got on the scoresheet as clinical Chelsea defeated Manchester United 4-0 at Leigh Sports Village.

Conversely, United started positively with Joshua Bohui firing well off target from Matthew Olosunde's inviting pass into the box and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson forcing Jamie Cumming to tip over a shot on the turn. However, from one of their first genuine attacks, the Londoners took the lead through Castillo.

The Dutch import ran from his own half, shrugged off Ethan Hamilton and kept going through the heart of the defence, before planting a deflected finish past Kieran O'Hara. Reds keeper O'Hara helped another deflected effort, this time by James, wide and Daishawn Redan touched a fine James centre just the wrong side of the post as the Blues threatened to double their lead.

Ricky Sbragia's side regained a foothold in the game and Hamilton worked Cumming after some powerful play before the visiting keeper made a superb save at his near post to thwart Tahith Chong. Borthwick-Jackson met Angel Gomes's corner but was unable to head goalwards and another dangerous set-piece, by Chong, was nodded over his own bar by Josh Grant.

Chong fed Olosunde, who got a shot in that was scrambled away by Cumming and the keeper held a low long-ranger by Zak Dearnley as Chelsea retained the lead until half-time. That advantage was soon extended when United were carved open by St Clair's charge down the left and the cross fell to Hazard, who controlled it in an instant and slammed home with his left foot.

Luke McCormick was fortunate not to concede a penalty for a blatant barge on Chong and DJ Buffonge was introduced in place of Gomes, who had earlier taken a blow to the head. Things got worse for the Reds with McCormick's run shepherding the ball on to James, who blasted in number three with an hour gone.

O'Hara managed to keep out a McCormick drive as the Blues looked to inflict further punishment. Devonte Redmond did have a shot blocked by the outstanding James, after Cumming pushed out a Buffonge cross, but the hosts were unable to make too much headway.

Indeed, Grant exploited more space down the Chelsea left to play the ball into the box and, even though McCormick could not bring it under proper control, St Clair lashed in a fourth. James almost added a fifth in stoppage time as it was a night to forget for the Reds.

United: O'Hara; Riley, R. Williams, Borthwick-Jackson (Warren 43), Olosunde; Redmond, Hamilton; Chong, Gomes (Buffonge 59), Dearnley (Boonen 66); Bohui. Subs not used: Richardson, Whelan.

www.manutd.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/8D572056CBAB43779FDE0B3E1E8A5472.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,112,2407,1472

UNDER-23S: MANCHESTER UNITED 0 VILLARREAL 2

Premier League International Cup | Leigh Sports Village | Scorers: Dalmau 48, Martinez 50

Two goals at the start of the second half accounted for Manchester United's Premier League International Cup aspirations as Villarreal won 2-0 at Leigh Sports Village.

Ricky Sbragia's Reds performed well in the first half and created all of the noteworthy chances. Tosin Kehinde flashed a drive wide as early as the fifth minute, after turning sharply onto a pass by fit-again Callum Gribbin, before Devonte Redmond was unable to hit the target when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box.

Tahith Chong's run led to another chance for Kehinde and the attack continued with Ethan Hamilton's fierce effort testing Jose Antonio Martinez in the visitors' goal. Martinez's best save, however, came when he repelled a Chong shot after the Dutchman latched onto a loose clearance from a Zak Dearnley cross.

Things were looking promising until the Reds were kept waiting in the freezing cold for Villarreal to re-emerge for the second half. Whether there was any gamesmanship involved was not clear but United were certainly caught cold and the tie was lost within the next five minutes.

Dearnley won possession in midfield but a careless pass led to the ball being collected by Adrian Dalmau, who ruthlessly punished the mistake by tricking his way past Ro-Shaun Williams and finishing smartly beyond Kieran O'Hara.

The Reds' response to going behind was initially good, with Hamilton's cross fizzing across the six-yard box, but the Spanish side attacked again and Joe Riley was caught on the ball in defence. Luca Ercolani was unable to retrieve the situation and Pedro Martinez gratefully accepted a simple opportunity.

Redmond made an important challenge to prevent Cristian Cedres scoring a third goal for Villarreal on the break as United really had the stuffing knocked out of the cup campaign. The hosts tried to stage a late comeback and Hamilton fired wide but O'Hara was the busier of the two keepers in the closing stages.

The Under-23s' next assignment is Saturday's Premier League 2 match against Sunderland at Old Trafford, with kick-off at 13:00 GMT.

United: O’Hara; Riley, R. Williams, Ercolani, Olosunde (Warren 46); Redmond; Chong, Hamilton, Gribbin (Bohui 69), Kehinde; Dearnley (Boonen 78). Subs not used: Richardson, Kenyon, Buffonge, Whelan.

www.manutd.com

[Riskur]

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/624668CC079248BE9901AA3AB483CF4D.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,261,3134,2025
UNDER-23S: LIVERPOOL 1 UNITED 2

Manchester United’s Reserves came from behind to claim a terrific morale-boosting victory against Liverpool at Anfield on Friday night.

In what was one of the Under-23s’ best performances of the season, Ricky Sbragia’s side scored twice in the final 10 minutes to claim a deserved win in rain-soaked conditions.

Understandably, all the talk in the past week has centred on the build-up to Saturday’s blockbuster at Old Trafford at first team level.

That contest should, of course, take the spotlight considering the remarkable history that exists between the two north-west giants.

This little Friday night appetiser at Anfield took the back seat but, in its own way, the outcome carried as much importance as the high octane main course to come.

Liverpool were looking for three points to keep up their challenge for the Premier League 2 title, while United were keen to get back to winning ways after a run of unfavourable results.

There was a good crowd of 5,049 inside Anfield at kick-off, with the vast majority occupying The Kop and a small detachment of The Red Army housed in the corner where The Kop meets the Kenny Dalglish Stand.

United, wearing their change kit of grey shirts, started brightly and, with a touch of fortune, could have been two goals ahead inside the opening five minutes.

Striker Zak Dearnley was involved on both occasions, firstly having an angled drive blocked by keeper Danny Ward and then, soon after, he narrowly failed to connect with Tahith Chong’s cross from the left.

The home side had their own chances in front of goal as the game unfolded into a finely balanced contest but United were more threatening, as Ethan Hamilton forced Ward to make another terrific save in the 34th minute with a low shot.

United, defending the Kop goal in the second half, looked to build on an extremely encouraging showing before the break. The rain, which had been falling throughout the game, appeared to be even heavier, but that didn’t stop the teams from providing an end-to-end entertaining game.

The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 65th minute when Liverpool were awarded a free-kick on the right wing. Defender Adam Lewis stood over the ball and everyone was probably expecting him to send over a cross into United’s area, but instead he opted to try his luck and it proved fortuitous as his shot zoomed into the top corner of the net.

United could easily have been level within five minutes but both Dearnley and Joe Riley were both thwarted by miraculous goalkeeping from Ward.

Then came a remarkable transformation of events as United roared back to score twice inside three minutes and take the lead.

Skipper Riley grabbed the equaliser with a close-range shot in the 80th minute and then Gribbin held his nerve to score from the penalty spot after substitute Joshua Bohui had been felled in the area.

More than five minutes of added time was played at the end, but United held on to record a great victory - the first of 2018.

United: O’Hara, Riley, Williams R-S., Borthwick-Jackson, O’Connor; Redmond, Hamilton (Buffonge 76); Chong, Gribbin, Kehinde (Bohui 80); Dearnley (Warren 88). Unused substitutes: Richardson, Whelan.

[Andi Istiabudi]

Semoga nanti malam tim senior bisa mengikuti jejak tim reserves dengan menang atas Liverpool. Semoga saja.. :)

[Andi Istiabudi]

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/02C96A3ADAC74E4F84F99930C43993C8.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,113,2000,1238

UNDER-23S: SWANSEA CITY 2 UNITED 0

Premier League 2 | Liberty Stadium | Scorers: Biabi 7, Maric 23

Manchester United Reserves’ fight to stay in Premier League 2 Division 1 took a setback with this defeat at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Two first-half goals were sufficient to give Swansea City the victory and leave United with a good deal of work to do in the quest for survival.

The Arctic weather that had been sweeping the country for the past 48 hours was predicted to be at its worst in South Wales but, though there was snow in the Swansea area, the Liberty Stadium pitch was in perfect condition.

Ricky Sbragia’s lads went into the game boosted by their thrilling 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield recently.

Points are vital for the Under-23s in the bid to move away from the wrong end of the table but, sadly, that quest got off to a less-than-perfect start when, in the seventh minute, a lapse in the United defence allowed Botti Biabi to put the Swans into the lead.

This was also a vital game for Swansea as they continue their challenge for the league title. They started the game in fourth place and five points adrift of Leicester City at the top of the pile; three points from this fixture would be enough to leap-frog Liverpool into third.

And their cause was further improved after 23 minutes when Biabi, the scorer of the first goal, turned provider to set up Adnan Maric to double the home team’s advantage.

Barely 60 seconds later, United appealed for a penalty after Tahith Chong went down inside the box but the referee, Mr. Bromley, was having none of it and waved play on.

There were just moments to go before the half-time whistle when Reds defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson was yellow-carded following a clumsy challenge just outside United’s penalty area.

United had left themselves a mountain to climb and, despite their best efforts, they just couldn’t find a way to get past the white-shirted Swans.

Callum Gribbin perhaps had the best chance of the second half but a last-ditch interception by Swansea’s Cian Harries proved decisive.

The Reserves will now stay in the south before moving on to London and Tuesday’s friendly fixture with Brentford at Griffin Park, kick-off 13:00 GMT.

The short break from the usual day-to-day schedule at the Aon Training Complex will certainly allow time for reflection and to ponder the three final fixtures of the campaign that will decide their immediate future.

United: O’Hara; Laird, Williams R-S., Borthwick-Jackson, Riley; Redmond, Hamilton; Chong, Gribbin, Kehinde (Bohui 59); Dearnley (Buffonge 67). Subs not used: Kovar, Warren, Whelan.

[Andi Istiabudi]

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/41478197F7D641789B667E91AE1E8672.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,0,2000,1125

UNDER-23S: BRENTFORD 3 UNITED 1

Friendly | Griffin Park | Scorers: Coote 39, Forss 49, Cole 68 | Oksanen og 3

Manchester United’s Under-23s took time off from the Premier League 2 campaign to compete in this friendly against Brentford's B team at Griffin Park on Tuesday afternoon.

Ricky Sbragia changed his team dramatically from the one that went down 2-0 against Swansea City on Sunday. He introduced several Under-18s into his line-up in front of a crowd of 366 fans.

So, this game presented itself as a real test for United’s young side, but we were gifted an early boost when, after barely three minutes, a terrible mix-up in the Bees’ defence culminated with defender Jaakko Oksanen hitting the ball past his own trialist goalkeeper.

It was the perfect start for the Reds but, moments later, only a miraculous double save from Reds’ keeper Theo Richardson prevented Marcus Forss from claiming the equaliser with the forward somehow missing at the third attempt from point-blank range.

Brentford’s more mature selection certainly had more of the ball as the first half went on and, six minutes before the break, they got their reward when Ali Coote hit the leveller.

United rang the changes after the break and, as a result, enjoyed more of the ball, but we were up against a very good and well organised Bees side who proceeded to score two further goals through Forss (49 minutes) and Reece Cole (68 minutes).

United’s youngsters may have failed to claw a way back as game wore on, with Ethan Hamilton having a deflected shot saved and Tyrell Warren heading against the outside of a post, but the Reds may still be happy with the input and performance against a very strong Brentford side.

United: Richardson (Kovar 60); Olosunde (Riley 60), Warren, Dunne (R. Williams 46), Borthwick-Jackson; Galbraith (McGhee 46), Whelan; Dearnley (Kehinde 46), Buffonge (Hamilton 46), Kenyon (Mellor 46); Bohui.

www.manutd.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/92953D67ED9C4F0C80FB973F5631A538.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,145,2733,1686

MUST-WIN CLASH FOR UNITED UNDER-23S

Manchester United's Under-23s face a must-win Premier League 2 encounter with Sunderland at Old Trafford on Friday night (kick-off 19:00 BST).

The Reds are currently four points adrift of the second-from-bottom Wearsiders heading into the live MUTV game, which is being staged at Old Trafford with free entry for all fans.

United are five points off safety with three games left and Tottenham, who are 10th in the 12-team league, meet ninth-placed Derby County at Saturday lunchtime, making this a crucial weekend in the division. Victory for Sunderland on the night would relegate the Reds.

Ricky Sbragia, a former Black Cats caretaker boss, took his team for a training camp to prepare for the rearranged clash and must assess the fitness of the younger players who have been in the United States, competing in the Dallas Cup.

One player certain to miss out is forward Joshua Bohui, who sustained a hamstring injury in Texas but Ethan Laird is an option to play at full-back after an impressive Reserves debut at Swansea City.

"It’s great to play at the first-team ground," Sbragia told ManUtd.com. "We have three games there and it’s a different mentality in the way you prepare pre-match. We’re looking forward to it. Against Tottenham at Old Trafford, we went a goal up but have got to cut out the silly mistakes and make good decisions.

"There have been too many mistakes. In a lot of games we’ve been in the lead – we should have had a penalty against Manchester City and then it would have been 2-0, instead it’s 1-1. But we must do better. I don’t think we’ve had decisions go our way – there was a handball against Swansea – but we’re working hard and go forward.

"Sunderland is a must-win game for us. The gods have been against us and we’ll consider what we’re doing and see at the end of the season. But we’re looking forward to it and will do all the necessary preparation.

"We’ll see what condition the lads come back from the Dallas Cup in because we could need some to play against Sunderland. The player is more important than us – that’s the important thing."

The Under-18s also have a crucial match this weekend, away to Middlesbrough on Saturday - live on MUTV with a 12:30 BST kick-off, as Kieran McKenna's team look to continue the bid for the northern title.

Nonetheless, the Under-23s could still call upon some of the younger talent, with Tahith Chong likely to face Sunderland and Ethan Galbraith another of those in the frame for a place in the squad.

www.manutd.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/85CEB53CC4474EEDA4D7F1AB8566B53E.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,106,2000,1232

UNDER-23S: UNITED 4 SUNDERLAND 0

Premier League 2 | Old Trafford | Scorers: Chong 24, Dearnley 44, Boonen 55, Riley 59

Manchester United needed to avoid defeat to Sunderland to stave off relegation from Premier League 2 and racked up a 4-0 triumph at Old Trafford to raise hopes of climbing the table at this late stage of the campaign.

In front of an appreciative Old Trafford crowd, Tahith Chong scored the first and set up the second, for Zak Dearnley, to register a commanding half-time lead. Two goals in quick succession, by Indy Boonen and skipper Joe Riley, doubled that advantage in the hosts' biggest win of the season.

The opening exchanges were a little pedestrian but the Reds were soon in the ascendancy with Callum Gribbin skying one rare shot. Left-back Lee O'Connor overcame a roll of the ankle and the home side started to build some momentum, even if the final ball was often lacking.

An incisive move down the right, sparked by Riley's run, produced a decent opportunity, only for Devonte Redmond to fire straight at Max Stryjek. It was a taster of what was to come as a poor header by Owen Gamble, from a Gribbin pass, let in Chong, who cut inside Brandon Taylor, before supplying an incisive finish to make it a goal in each of his three Old Trafford outings.

Boonen was clattered into by Stryjek but was able to carry on and drilled and a left-foot shot wide as United continued to impress. A second goal arrived a minute before the break, with Chong inevitably involved, latching onto an Ethan Hamilton pass to tee up Dearnley's accurate finish with a low cross.

There was no let up from the restart, and the third was all Boonen's own work. The Belgian chased the ball down the left, cut inside Tayor and sneaked a near-post finish past a flat-footed Stryjek. Four minutes later, Dearnley outstripped Denver Hume and, when Stryjek came out to block, Riley pounced on the rebound, calmly moved it onto his left foot and bent home a beauty.

With Dearnley in fine form throughout, the Black Cats were penned back with Redmond cracking a drive off target as the team flowed with confidence. Gribbin rolled a low shot just the wrong side of Stryjek's left-hand post and DJ Buffonge, one of three United substitutes introduced, failed to match a superb run with the required finish.

Elliot Embleton finally worked Kieran O'Hara towards the end but the Wearsiders were well beaten on the night and, in truth, struggled to make too much of a contest of it once the fourth goal had gone in.

Ricky Sbragia's side remain bottom of the table but are now only a point adrift of Sunderland and two points off Tottenham, who face another of the relegation candidates in Derby County on Saturday. Two games remain, starting with next Friday's derby at Manchester City - which is live on MUTV.

United: O'Hara; Riley, R. Williams, Borthwick-Jackson, O'Connor (Warren 71); Redmond, Hamilton; Dearnley, Gribbin, Chong (Kehinde 67); Boonen (Buffonge 76). Subs not used: Richardson, Whelan

www.manutd.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/37F622547A454A81A41D6B731B4B9065.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,29,2994,1717

UNDER-23: MANCHESTER CITY 1 UNITED 1

Premier League 2 | Etihad Campus | Scorers: Gonzalez 4; Boonen 45

Ricky Sbragia’s Manchester United Under-23 side climbed off the foot of the Premier League 2 Division One table on Friday evening, thanks to a hard-fought point against local rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Campus.

Indy Boonen's excellent equaliser in first-half injury time proved enough to claim a share of the derby spoils, although the draw does mean that a win for Derby County against West Ham United on Monday night will push the Reds down into Division Two for next season. Next Friday's final fixture against Everton at Old Trafford would then be academic.

Despite it being a murky, damp evening by April's standards, there was still a really good turn-out for this second derby match in east Manchester in the space of seven days.

It looked like it was going to be a tough night for the Reds when Blues winger Luke Bolton crossed perfectly for front man Lorenzo Gonzalez to fire the hosts ahead after just four minutes.

Ironically, City’s opener followed quickly behind a piece of magic from Tahith Chong, who left a couple of City’s defenders in his wake as he sprinted upfield. Unfortunately, the threat petered out and moments later the home supporters were celebrating that early goal by Gonzalez.

The Blues were certainly dominating the opening exchanges and Gonzalez could have doubled his tally and the home side's lead when he raced clear in the 17th minute, but his shot went straight into Kieran O’Hara’s hands.

Gonzalez, City’s no.9, was proving to be something of a handful and he got behind United’s defence again but the Reds recovered quickly enough to snuff out the danger.

Ethan Hamilton’s grass-cutting shot raised hopes that the visitors might grab an equaliser and while that attempt squirmed just past the wrong side of the post, United were indeed level by half-time.

As the game entered added time, the Reds were awarded a free-kick close to the touchline on the left wing. Callum Gribbin placed the ball down and then, with his trusty left foot, he curved a terrific cross into the area where Boonen got above the Blues' defence to head firmly into the net past goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw.

City shuffled their pack after the break to make two substitutions, but it was that man Gonzalez who almost put the Blues back in the lead only to see his shot go narrowly wide.

Remarkably, just a couple of minutes later, United’s goalscorer Boonen looked odds-on to grab his second of the night until City’s Demeaco Duhaney made a miraculous clearance from the line. And there was another let-off for the Blues when Zachary Dearnley’s drive failed to hit the target by a matter of inches.

As the chances started to pile up, O'Hara made a great save to prevent Ian Paveda recapturing the lead for City and to preserve a point that could yet have an important impact.

United: O’Hara; Riley, Williams R-S., Borthwick-Jackson, O’Connor; Redmond, Hamilton; Dearnley (Kehinde 85), Gribbin, Chong; Boonen.

Substitutes not used: Warren, Richardson, Ercolani, Whelan.

www.manutd.com

[Andi Istiabudi]

http://www.manutd.com/sitecore/shell/~/media/EFF38E20CFD1403DBD708FB993D4CD36.ashx?w=1280&h=720&rgn=0,53,2000,1177

UNDER-23S: UNITED 2 EVERTON 2

Premier League 2 | Old Trafford | Scorers: Chong 23, Redmond 74 | Foulds 20, Garbutt 47

Manchester United’s Under-23s brought down the curtain on the Premier League 2 season with a good performance and fair share of the spoils against Everton at Old Trafford on Friday evening.

The campaign may have ended in disappointment with the Reds suffering relegation but, on many occasions, the Reds have performed far better than some of our results may have suggested. This game against the boys from Goodison Park was a perfect example of the standard the team can attain, although nobody could complain about this evening’s final outcome.

It was a pleasantly mild evening, which had helped to attract a 1,110 devotees, including a few visitors from Merseyside, to this end-of-season fixture. Small in number they may have been, but there was no shortage of enthusiasm and appreciation for the quality of play unfolding before them.

End-to-end is only way to describe the opening exchanges as both teams had a spring in their step and the goalkeepers were kept busy as openings were produced. Everton’s Joe Hilton did well to get down to Indy Boonen’s low drive, while Matej Kovar, on his Reserves debut, also had to have his wits about him when Josh Bowler rattled in an angled drive.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson had also gone close with a shot after he had ventured upfield for a set-piece. The entertainment continued to flow and midway through the half an enjoyable contest was decorated with two goals. The visitors were the first celebrate when, in the 20th minute, Matthew Foulds tapped in at the far post. The Reds were quick to reply with Tahith Chong hitting a stinging right-foot shot across Hilton barely two minutes after Everton had scored.

There was little let-up as the action during the remainder of the first half and when referee Peter Gibbons blew the half-time whistle the score couldn’t have better reflected the opening 45 minutes. Everton were rapid out of the blocks at the start of the second half and, within 80 seconds of the restart, they had recaptured the lead thanks to blistering shot from full-back Luke Garbutt.

Less than 10 minutes later and it could have been even worse for United when only Kovar’s acrobatics prevented Bowler’s fierce strike from entering the net. United drew level again, in the 74th minute, thanks to an unstoppable strike from Devonte Redmond.

And, deep into injury time, United almost grabbed a winner when skipper Joe Riley thumped a cracking shot wide of Hilton’s left-hand post. A fracas at the end illustrated the intensity of a match that was far from a dull dead rubber.

United: Kovar; Riley, R. Williams, Borthwick-Jackson, O’Connor; Redmond, Hamilton, Gribbin; Dearnley (Kehinde 86), Boonen, Chong. Subs not used: Richardson, Warren, Ercolani, Whelan.

www.manutd.com