The early stages didn’t look good for the young reds with Copenhagen fashioning a couple of chances but fortunately Elyh Harrison was on hand to deny on both occasions.

On of the aforementioned saves turned the tides in the 11th minute as it led to a string of possession for United which ended in Ethan Wheatley switching play to Ethan Williams on the left who was wide open to finish past the keeper.

Just two minutes later, United doubled the lead with the roles reversed for the Ethan duo. A mistake from the Copenhagen defender missing the ball allowed it to run through to Williams getting to the byeline to cut back to Wheatley to score from close range.

Ten minutes after that, the poor officiating extended to the Youth League with Copenhagen being awarded a penalty for a clear dive following a brush of Jack Kingdon’s fingers on Queyrell Tchicamboud’s shirt.

Rasmus Hojlund’s younger brother Emil stepped up to finish from the spot confidently.

Emil Hojlund tested Harrison again just a minute later but the England youth international was there to deny before Williams blocked the rebound off the line.

Both sides traded blows for the remainder of the first half but the score stayed 1-2 to United going into the break.

The second half was not such an even affair with United settling for just a few crosses into the Copenhagen box while the home side bombarded Harrison’s goal.

Some top saves from Harrison and blocks from the United defenders, in particular numerous from Willy Kambwala, looked to be enough to hold onto the three points but injury time spelled heartbreak with a late equaliser.

The ball was brought down inside the United box before being played across for Amin Chiakha for the tap in.

The draw sees United sitting on just four points from four and in desperate need of points from the remaining two fixtures.

United: Harrison, Nolan, Kingdon, Kambwala, Missin (Jackson 61), Scanlon, Gore, Mainoo, Williams (Fitzgerald 79), Wheatley (Sharpe 61), Hansen-Aaroen.

Unused subs: Wooster, Musa, Biancheri, T. Fletcher.

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United took an early lead at Leigh Sports Village in just the 7th minute through Joe Hugill.

Isak Hansen-Aaroen took out the Everton defender with a perfectly weighted through ball to Sam Murray racing towards the byline to cut back for Hugill to slot home from six yards out.

The young Reds doubled their lead on the half hour mark with a clever free kick from Shola Shoretire.

After being fouled on the edge of the box, Shoretire stepped up to cleverly roll a shot under the jumping Everton wall and into the bottom left corner.

Hansen-Aaroen had a chance to make it three just before the break, but the young midfielder could not keep his curled effort on target.

It went into the break 2-0 to United with Travis Binnion’s side controlling much of the first half.

Everton pulled one back early into the second half though. A counter attack opened the chance for Sean McAllister to get down the right wing and float a misguided cross straight into the back of Elyh Harrison’s goal.

United restored their two goal lead in the 79th minute when Hugill added his second of the match and seventh on the season.

United’s high press paid off and Mateo Mejia was able to win possession high up the pitch to quickly play Hugill into the box to finish low from a wide angle.

Hugill’s brace was enough to secure the three points for United and move them up to 10th in the table and securely in a play-off qualification spot.

United: Harrison, Nolan (Kambwala 62), Aljofree, Murray, Bennett, Shoretire, Collyer, Hansen-Aaroen (Huddlestone 73), Mejia, Hugill, Ennis (Mather 46)

Unused subs: Wooster, Curley

The post Academy Match Report: Manchester United u21s 3-1 Everton u21s appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Read the detailed match report of all the action here.

(A score of 6 is around average)

Elyh Harrison – 6 – Saved the easy shots and wasn’t really at fault for any of the goals conceded, although could have possibly got a better dive on Salford’s second goal. As composed as ever with passing the ball out from the back.

James Nolan – 6 – Involved in some good passing down the wing but was loose with possession too often. Showed good maturity under pressure with a clever ability to draw a foul though.

Willy Kambwala – 5 – A mixed bag of a performance, he swept up with a couple of very important interceptions but you can’t look past his involvement in Salford’s first two goals. Backed off far too much allowing them to run unopposed to the edge of the box twice in the span of five minutes and he was punished both times.

Rhys Bennett – 7.5 – Another good performance from Bennett, he was particularly good on the ball when working out of the press. Showed a good range of passing and dribbling to kickstart attacks. Defensively he was also solid with a number of good interceptions and clearances. Conceded the penalty for Salford’s winner but it looked harsh and was just normal contact expected when challenging for a cross.

Sam Murray – 6.5 – Nothing spectacular but provided an outlet down the left wing and largely kept it simple.

Toby Collyer – 6.5 – Kept the ball ticking over in midfield and did well breaking up play with six tackles, but his errant pass did lead to one of Salford’s goals.

Dan Gore – 7.5 – Central to United’s play going forward which was sensational at times. Picked out forward and incisive passes while rarely ever losing possession and it seemed the only way to stop him was by fouling him. Could have also arguably earned a penalty but for Shoretire immediately finishing the move with a goal.

Kobbie Mainoo – 8 – Started off the match with a great through ball and then another line breaking pass from deep which looked to set him apart from the rest. Ended up with two assists and could have possibly earned a penalty. Only possible criticism was that he spent too many spells in peripheral wide areas which lessened his impact.

Omari Forson – 8 – A very silky performance, he was exceptional in the tight central areas outside Salford’s box in keeping possession and evading tackles. Was rewarded with a goal for his efforts with the help of a deflection.

Joe Hugill – 5 – Just didn’t get involved and was largely a non-entity, not managing to get a single shot off in 90 minutes.

Shola Shoretire – 8.5 – Two goals and a fabulous performance all around, he was incisive in the opposition box and involved in much of United’s good play. Also worked hard going backwards and made a number of tackles.

Substitutes

Ethan Ennis – 6 – Provided energy and directness on the wing after his introduction although the final quality was missing. Conceded the first penalty with a handball but it is harsh to blame him for it.

Tom Huddlestone – N/A – Came on in the dying stages and didn’t make much of an impression.

Mateo Mejia – N/A – Not on for long enough.

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The home side continued some familiar faces for United youth followers with former u21s manager Neil Wood leading the charge for the Class of 92 club and on the pitch Kelly N’Mai and Jacob Lara have both appeared in the red of United in the past year on trials.

Both sides exchanged corners early on but it was United who took advantage when Willy Kambwala’s header was spilled, allowing Kobbie Mainoo to flick to Shola Shoretire to dispatch through the crowd to give United an early lead.

United were producing some enigmatic football in the middle of the park which Salford couldn’t keep up with, drawing a number of fouls at the edge of the box but United could not capitalise.

In the 24th minute, Salford hit on the counter against the run of play to level the score with Willy Kambwala backing off from Conor McAleny until the forward struck from 25 yards into the bottom right corner.

Just three minutes later and it was an episode of deja vu. A sloppy pass from Toby Collyer in the midfield kickstarted the counter for Salford and again Kambwala was left jockeying too far back, allowing a clear run for Matty Lund to the edge of the box to place into the bottom right corner again to give Salford the lead.

United continued to dominate possession for the rest of the half but were unable to equalise before the break.

The young Reds came out after the restart on fire though and pulled it level within a minute. Fabulous hold up play from Mainoo at the edge of the box allowed the midfielder to turn and lay off to Omari Forson who’s shot was deflected past the keeper.

A minute later, Mainoo weaved through the Salford backline before being taken down in the box but his protests were waved away as Shoretire’s low placed effort was parried out of danger by the Salford keeper.

United then retook the lead in the 51st minute as Dan Gore was taken out while taking the ball on the turn inside the box but it didn’t matter as Shoretire was on hand to strike home with his weaker foot.

United continued to dominate proceedings into the closing stages with Gore, Mainoo, Shoretire, and Forson combining throughout with fluid attractive football but they could not extend their lead.

The youngsters would rue their lack of killer instinct in the 86th minute, when Salford were awarded a penalty after a cross cannoned off the hand of Ethan Ennis. Lund dispatched to draw it all level.

Into the dying minutes of injury time, Salford were awarded another soft penalty when Rhys Bennett challenged for a cross in the centre of the box and was adjudged to have fouled the Salford attacker. Lund stepped up to score again to complete his hattrick and earn the home side a 4-3 win.

A disappointing end to what was a fabulous night of football, unfortunately the result sees United crash out of the EFL Trophy at the group stage.

United: Harrison, Nolan, Kambwala, Bennett, Murray (Mejia 88), Collyer (Ennis 67), Gore, Mainoo, Forson (Huddlestone 82), Hugill, Shoretire

Unused subs: Wooster, Aljofree, Hansen-Aaroen, Mather

The post Academy Match Report: Salford City 4-3 Manchester United u21s appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

A legend in the sky blue of Manchester City, Alex Williams is well known to any English football fan in the 1980s but lesser known is his nephew, who is making a name for himself in red.

Ethan Williams has been rising through United’s ranks and impressed again just last night with a late equaliser for Manchester United’s u21s away to Fulham.

The 17 year old has started the season in hot form, scoring five already and averaging a goal or assist every 80 minutes across the u18s and u21s.

Ethan Williams last minute equaliser to make it 1-1 #MUFC #MUAcademy #PL2 #ThePeoplesPerson pic.twitter.com/4rR48LjRvK

— The Peoples Person (@_peoplesperson_) October 27, 2023

The young star’s uncle has recently published an autobiography titled You Saw Me Standing Alone.

The Manchester Evening News report that the book mentions United’s young academy prospect with Alex Williams saying in it that “Ethan is progressing well and has the potential to go all the way.”

It further adds “he’s quick, has a terrific left foot and an eye for goal. He’s destined to be a star, although it’s a shame his favourite colour is red rather than blue. I just hope Ethan is as happy during his career as I was during mine.”

It is not just a terrific left foot Ethan possesses though, as he has just as good a right foot as evidenced by his goal on Friday night against Fulham.

An extremely two footed player, Ethan Williams is amongst a rare breed of players who can often been seen delivering corners with either left or right boot like another Manchester United academy graduate in Andreas Pereira.

Since joining the club from Rochdale at 14, Williams has quickly moved his way through the ranks and has already trained with the first team under Erik ten Hag.

Often playing as an old school winger on the left, he is also capable of playing on the right and even has experience at left back which will stand him in good stead when looking to earn a chance with the first team.

He is not the only academy player with a City connection either as Jack and Tyler Fletcher, sons of Darren Fletcher, have just joined United in the summer from the cross town rivals.

The post Meet Manchester United’s next big prospect who is related to a Manchester City legend appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

It was Leeds who threatened first with a ball in behind down the left, but Tom Myles was out quick to cut off the angles and make the save.

Just after the 10 minute mark, United were building pressure and Jack Fletcher switched the play to Jayce Fitzgerald on the left, who cut onto his right foot and curled into the top right corner giving the keeper no chance.

Jayce Fitzgerald’s wonder goal to give #MUFC u18s the lead. pic.twitter.com/8f3QZEyAGy

— Manchester United Academy (@RedYouthUnited) October 28, 2023

The sides then exchanged blows with Ruben Curley striking narrowly wide and then Tom Myles showing up with another important save.

United began to take control as the half wore on but it wasn’t until the 36th minute that the young reds would double their lead. Fitzgerald’s cross field ball found Lacey to turned his defender inside and out before delivering to Malachi Sharpe to finish with a sensational volley.

Malachi Sharpe added the second from Shea Lacey’s delivery. #MUFC #MUAcademy pic.twitter.com/E66s6kPytE

— Manchester United Academy (@RedYouthUnited) October 28, 2023

Tom Myles was forced into another stretching save just before the end of the half to keep the score 0-2 going into the break.

Just three minutes after the restart, Leeds couldn’t clear United’s corner which was recycled back into the box for Victor Musa to turn and swing but Fletcher stole the ball off his foot to finish himself.

In the 60th minute Fitzgerald led the charge upfield before laying off to Malachi Sharpe on the right wing, who went on the outside to the byline and shocked everyone with a strike into the roof of the net from a very tight angle to make it 0-4.

With United in complete control they turned to the bench. Two of the subs introduced were Gabriele Biancheri and Ethan Wheatley who combined to make it five for United.

Fletcher’s diagonal ball played Biancheri into the left channel to race into the box and centre for Wheatley who took the ball expertly on the turn before having his shot deflected past the keeper.

Summer signing Harry Amass, one of the standouts so far this season, then got his name on the scoresheet for the first time in red when Jack Kingdon’s long ball was flicked on by Wheatley to set the left back clean through on goal and finish low into the net.

The convincing victory leaves Adam Lawrence’s side top of the table with seven wins out seven in the league and averaging almost four goals a match.

United: Myles, McAllister, Jackson, Kingdon, Amass, Fitzgerald (Devaney 61), Curley, Sharpe (Biancheri 61), J. Fletcher, Lacey (Scanlon 61), Musa (Wheatley 65)

Unused subs: Byrne-Hughes.

The post Academy Match Report: Leeds United u18s 0-6 Manchester United u18s appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Read the detailed match report of all the action here.

(A score of 6 is around average)

Elyh Harrison – 7 – The England u18s international continues to impress in goal. He made three saves on the night including denying an effort that looked destined for the top corner. Impressive as ever with the ball at his feet and did really well commanding the area and collecting aerial balls which is usually his weakness due to his height.

Willy Kambwala – 5 – Not the Frenchman’s night, struggled to play out through Fulham’s press and to keep up with the agility of Fulham’s wingers. Started the second half strongly with a bomb down the right wing and narrowly missed connecting with a header in Fulham’s box but was ultimately subbed off in the 61st minute shortly after his second foul throw of the match.

Sonny Aljofree – 6 – A decent performance, he made some good blocks and clearances from the box but just came off second best at times and was overshadowed by Bennett.

Rhys Bennett – 8 – Man of the match, Bennett was the clear stand out from start to finish. Matching Fulham’s intensity from the off, he put in a number of strong tackles early on and wasn’t afraid to do the dirty work. Impressive on the ball as well, he made a number of good runs up field and and late on was a constant danger in the Fulham box as he dominated aerially and almost grabbed an assist in the last second with his knock down to Hugill.

Sam Murray – 5 – Up against a tough customer in Imani Lanquedoc, he was left chasing shadows at times as the Fulham frontline operated at such a high pace.

Toby Collyer – 6.5 – A lone calming presence in the United side in the first half, he struggled to keep control of the match by himself albeit he did his best to try. As United relieved the pressure up top in the second half he was able to keep possession ticking over.

Shola Shoretire – 6.5 – A game of two halves, he only produced bits and pieces in the first half but failed to offer the controlling presence required in a deeper midfield role. But as United pushed forward in the second half his quality began to shine through with pinpoint passes and deliveries into the box.

Mateo Mejia – 5 – Was quiet for much of the match but failed to deliver the few times he did pop up in dangerous areas.

Isak Hansen-Aaroen – 6 – Nice touches here and there but just never really got into the full swing of the match as he drifted in and out.

Sam Mather – 5 – His return from injury saw him struggle with the pace of the game as he rarely touched the ball before coming off at the break.

Joe Hugill – 5.5 – Seldomly involved he just wasn’t able to create the openings to get in the danger areas but did come within inches of a late winner that was cleared off the line.

Substitutes

Ethan Ennis – 7 – Immediately injected some pace and directness to the United side and offered a much needed outlet in attack. Faded a bit as the match went on which is to be expected for his first appearance in over a year but was very important to changing the game for United.

James Nolan – 6.5 – Offered more of a calming presence on the right side after replacing Kambwala which helped in retaining possession in the second half.

Ethan Williams – 7.5 – Was only on for 15 minutes but you wouldn’t know it with how involved he was. A number of dangerous crosses and corners from both sides were United’s first real big chances before he took it into his own hands and scored from the edge of the box.

Tom Huddlestone – 6 – Offered the calm and coaching presence at the back that you expect and even popped up with a headed attempt onto the roof of the net.

The post Player Ratings: Fulham u21s 1-1 Manchester United u21s appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

The early stages saw Fulham take control of the match with their frontline deploying a high energy press that United struggled to get to grips with, sending a number of passes at the back out of play.

Imani Lanquedoc was one of the brightest for the home side and had a huge chance in the 16th minute when a low cross into the box found him open 10 yards out but the winger put his effort over the bar.

The speedy right winger made no mistake on the next one though when he raced in behind the United backline before poking the ball under Elyh Harrison to give the home side the lead.

While United were failing to match Fulham’s intensity, Rhys Bennett was putting himself about across the pitch with a number of strong challenges. Pushing one Fulham midfielder off the ball, Bennett made a charge up field before trying his luck from 25 yards out to test the Fulham keeper for the first time of the match.

Fulham threatened to add another before the break with some dangerous crosses that were too often cleared straight back to Fulham but a series of good blocks and poor finishing saw the match remain 1-0 into the break.

Travis Binnion looked to the bench at the break and introduced Ethan Ennis, who returned after a lengthy injury to replace Sam Mather, who in turn has been battling injury troubles recently as well.

You never would have known it was Ennis’ first competitive match in over a year though as he instantly injected life into the United side with direct running on the left wing and winning a corner.

With Ennis offering an outlet on the left wing, it relieved the pressure on the back and United began to gain some momentum in possession.

Shola Shoretire came alive in the second half with a number of good deliveries, the first to Sam Murray on the left wing who then cut back to Shoretire following up on the edge of the box but the midfielder’s shot was blocked for a corner.

Fulham were still in it though and a chance from Jonathan Esenga looked destined for the top left corner but for a top save from Harrison.

In the 87th minute, United came close to equalising when Bennett towered above to head from Ethan Williams’ corner but directed it just wide of the left post.

Williams was peppering his deliveries into the box from his left and right boot and they came close again as Tom Huddlestone headed onto the roof of the net.

Into injury time and Williams collected the ball at the edge of the box and blasted into the bottom left corner to give United a dramatic late equaliser.

Ethan Williams last minute equaliser to make it 1-1 #MUFC #MUAcademy #PL2 #ThePeoplesPerson pic.twitter.com/4rR48LjRvK

— The Peoples Person (@_peoplesperson_) October 27, 2023

It wasn’t over there though, Joe Hugill’s headed effort was then pushed onto the post and then collected by the keeper off the line to deny United the late win.

The match finished 1-1 and point brings United into 14th place, just inside the play-off spots.

United: Harrison, Kambwala (Nolan 61), Aljofree (Huddlestone 83), Bennett, Murray, Collyer, Shoretire, Mejia (Williams 78), Hansen-Aaroen, Mather (Ennis 46), Hugill

Unused subs: Plumley

The post Academy Match Report: Fulham u21s 1-1 Manchester United u21s appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

The visitors looked the liveliest from the start and Emil Hojlund tested early with a header straight into Tom Wooster’s arms.

United then had a big chance when James Nolan played the ball into the right channel for Ethan Wheatley who knocked the ball past the keeper but tripped himself up before he could get his shot off at the open net.

The young Reds began working their way into the match and Omari Forson showed a bit of magic to evade the tackle at the edge of the box before having his shot saved from 20 yards out.

More chances came for United with Forson playing provider with a cross to the back post that was knocked down by Ethan Williams for James Scanlon to head over the bar.

Dan Gore then got into the action with a perfectly clipped ball over the Copenhagen defenders for Forson to head at full stretch but United again failed to hit the target.

Kobbie Mainoo tried his luck late on with a long-range attempt but dragged the effort wide left.

It went into the break level at 0-0 after a tightly contested 45 minutes.

Jayce Fitzgerald entered at the break for Mainoo and almost made an immediate impact, plucking the ball out of the sky for a drilled volley that was denied by a top save.

A much quieter second half, it wasn’t until the 84th minute that the deadlock was broken when Tryphose Thcicamboud was allowed to run freely into the United box and slot into the far corner past Wooster.

United then tried to bombard the Copenhagen box in the dying minutes but ultimately couldn’t carve out a clear chance, leaving the score at 0-1 at the final whistle.

United remain on three points alongside Bayern Munich and Galatasaray with FC Copenhagen stretching their lead at the top with nine points.

United: Wooster, Missin (Jackson 75), Nolan, Kambwala, Kingdon (Musa 87), Williams, Mainoo (Fitzgerald 46), Gore, Forson, Scanlon (Lacey 69), Wheatley

Unused subs: Myles, McAllister, Curley

The post Academy Match Report: Manchester United u19s 0-1 FC Copenhagen u19s appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

It was evident from the off that the match was going to be a tight affair between two of the top Premier League North sides.

United took control of possession in the early stages but Wolves’ press proved to be difficult to break through and United were forced to settle for half chances down the left wing from Harry Amass and Shea Lacey.

A match of fine margins, United almost carved an opening in the 20th minute when Ruben Curley won possession high up the pitch and slipped through Ethan Wheatley, but the quick recovery defending from Wolves forced Wheatley out wide and to recycle possession.

Minutes later, Malachi Sharpe’s penalty shouts were waved off by the referee, who deemed the winger to have been fouled just outside the area. Lacey’s effort from the free kick didn’t have enough dip on it to hit the target.

In the 33rd minute, a piece of brilliance from Jack Fletcher opened the space in midfield before he clipped it to the back post for an open Lacey, but an uncharacteristically poor touch from Lacey saw the chance go begging.

United’s best chance of the day then came when Curley’s through ball put Sharpe through on goal to round the keeper but the winger’s rushed effort went across the open goal and wide of the left post.

Despite beginning to create chances as the half wore on, United had seemingly left their shooting boots at home and the match went into the break deadlocked at 0-0.

The second half continued in much of the same vein. Early chances came for Ethan Wheatley and Sharpe, but neither could find the finish.

Lacey then looked to provide his magic when he skipped past one defender and then another before squeezing between two more, but the sensational run wasn’t matched with an end product as his shot was blocked and fell kindly to the keeper.

Wolves then hit on the break in the 55th minute and an unfortunate bounce from Reece Munro’s challenge saw the ball fall back to the home side, allowing England u17 international Leon Chiwome to run through and slot past Elyh Harrison with one of their only two shots on target during the match.

United then looked to the bench to try make the breakthrough but the next big chance came the way of Wolves in the 80th minute. With United pushing high up the pitch, the back was left exposed but a huge Peter Schmeichel style save from Harrison kept United in with a fighting chance.

Fighting until the last minute, it wasn’t to be United’s day though and the match ran out 1-0 to Wolves. The result sees the group all even on 3 points but United remain on top due to goal difference. The final match of the group comes next month as United travel south to Southampton.

United: Harrison, McAllister, Jackson, Munro, Amass, Baumann (Biancheri 75), Curley, Sharpe, Fletcher (Devaney 60), Lacey, Wheatley (Musa 60)

Unused subs: Myles, Kukonki

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